Carry the Fallen event happening this weekend

BONNERS FERRY — Carry the Fallen, the original and largest ruck march event to end veteran suicide, is coming again to Bonners Ferry this weekend, Sept. 21. Opening ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m. and the march begins at 10:30. The event will take place at the Log Inn, which is where the march will begin.

There will be many activities for all ages, including special activities for children, free barbecue, beer garden, live and silent auctions, and a 50/50 raffle. The raffle and auction proceeds go to supporting local veterans and their families. There will be a drawing to send a veteran and spouse to a three day retreat in Kentucky, airfare included.

Guest speakers at the event will be Retired Col. Dan Kern of Tacoma and Retired SFC John Zehring of Bonners Ferry.

Carry the Fallen is a three-hour, weighted ruck march designed to symbolize the burden veterans returning home from post-war or post-trauma carry with them in forms of depression, anger, PTSD, anxiety and so on. The ultimate purpose of this event is to reduce veteran suicide and assist military families with needed support by establishing camaraderie within the marchers to cope with post traumatic stress (anger, depression, loneliness, substance abuse and suicidal tendencies) and uniting veterans, families and supporters to care for each other in times of need.

The goal for this event is to bring awareness to the burdens veterans and military families carry and to help ease the weight by creating a larger network of support and strength.

For more information contact John Riddle at 208-267-2932 or email riddlefire@hotmail.com.