Who are you carrying? A rather simple question, but after decades of military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and other contested areas around the world it can elicit complicated answers. There is not a corner of our country that's not been affected by the sacrifices of our military personnel in one way or another. I spent 9 of my 11 years in uniform only knowing an Army at war. Because of this I don't just carry one person or loved one. I am faced daily with carrying the memories of numerous West Point classmates, colleagues, Soldiers I led and commanders I followed.

The West Point Class of 2004 entered active service fully prepared to take its place as the tip of the spear leading Soldiers on the ground in combat. Selfless service, one of the seven Army values, were not just words but a belief. 13 of my classmates paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country fighting shoulder to shoulder with the Soldiers they led: 1LT Garrison Avery (Baghdad, Iraq), 1LT Benjamin Britt (Baghdad, Iraq), 1LT Camden Bock (Baghdad, Iraq), CPT Michael Cerrone (Samarra, Iraq), CPT John Dennison (Baghdad, Iraq), CPT David Fraser (Baghdad, Iraq), 1LT Jacob Fritz (Karbala, Iraq), CPT Jason Holbrook (Tsagay, Afghanistan), CPT Paul Pena (Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan), 1LT Robert Seidel (Baghdad, Iraq), CPT Adam Snyder (Balad, Iraq), CPT Dan Whitten (Zabul province, Afghanistan) and 1LT Dennis Zilinski (Bayji, Iraq).

My first Platoon Sergeant, SFC Johnny Walls, laid down his life while serving on a Military Transition Team (MiTT) for the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division in Uruzgan, Afghanistan on 2 November 2007. Commander of 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, LTC Garnet Derby, whom I operated under while deployed to Mosul, Iraq in 2009 laid down his life with three of his Soldiers while on a combat patrol on 9 February 2009. My colleague and MiTT teammate in Iraq, CPT Michael Newton, laid down his life while on his 3rd combat deployment in Faryab province, Afghanistan on 11 June 2011.

Everyone's story is different, but the reason for walking is the same. To carry the memories of the fallen, to ensure their sacrifice will never be forgotten and to celebrate the men and women of this country who are willing to raise their right hand and choose selfless service over self-preservation. I was honored to serve as the National Chairman for the Memorial May Relay for 3 years. The growth of Carry The Load over the past 10 years has been tremendous and the impact has gone from a single route that walked from the hallowed grounds of the West Point cemetery to Dallas and has now become 5 nationwide routes covering all 48 states.

Carry the Load and the Memorial May Relay provides me an opportunity to honor my comrades and reflect on all they've given this country.  I walk for all the men and women of our armed forces who have laid down their lives so we can live ours. Whether they were military, law enforcement, a firefighter or first responder please take the time this May to answer this simple question, Who are you carrying?

You can support me in my efforts by donating here on my personal Carry The Load page. Let's make it an overwhelming success.

Joshua Davis

Former Chairman of the National Memorial May Relay

Field Artilery

OIF 2008 - 2009

Army Football Brotherhood