FORT HOOD, Texas — III Corps and Fort Hood will host the 3rd annual “Carry the Load Rally” at 2 p.m. May 23 at the 1st Cavalry Division Horse Detachment here.

Carry the Load is a non-profit organization providing a way to honor our Nation’s military, law enforcement, firefighters, rescue personnel and their families.

The organization has brought countless participants together to walk and cycle from the West Coast, Midwest and East Coast before culminating in Dallas, Texas, over the Memorial Day weekend.

Ten to fifteen participants will rally at the 1st Cavalry Division Horse Detachment for the color guard posting of the colors, the National Anthem sung by country music artist Carl Hutchens, a Vietnam veteran from Galena Park, Texas; and a demonstration by the Horse Detachment.

Guest speakers for the event include III Corps Chief of Staff Col. Hank Perry, Lt. Gen. (Retired) Paul E. Funk Sr., Lt. Mike Perez of the Bell County Sheriffs Department and a representative from the Carry the Load Organization. In addition, an estimated 200-300 members of the local communities will be in attendance.

Media who wish to cover this event should call the Fort Hood Public Affairs Office at (254) 287-9993/0106 no later than 4:30 p.m. May 22. On May 23, media will meet a public affairs representative in the south-side parking lot of the Marvin Leath Visitors Center at 1:30 p.m. for an escort to the location.