VETERANS HOLD RUCK MARCH TO HONOR FALLEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — This Memorial Day, veterans from POWER Home Remodeling in Tampa held a Ruck March to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Some people will spend the long weekend hanging out and grilling out by the pool with their families. But this group of veterans, civilians, and their families is marching four miles to honor the brave men and women who sacrificed everything for our country.

Step by step, dozens of veterans and their families showed support for the fallen military men and women.

“I think people confuse Memorial Day for the start of the summer, or a day for BBQs and poolside, in reality, today is to remember those who couldn’t be here because they made the ultimate sacrifice,” said David Lopez, a veteran who helped organize the event. “To be able to come out here with friends and colleagues and to see other people celebrating this day the right way in remembering those people, that couldn’t be here, it means the world to all of us veterans.”

For many veterans, this holiday is a day to reflect on the sacrifices of their brothers and sisters in the military.

“Growing up, before I served, it was a day for BBQs and going to the shore, I’m from Jersey originally, being with family, having a lot of fun,” Air Force veteran John Oppici said. “But after I served, it turned into more of a day to pay tribute for those people who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.”

POWER Home Remodeling has put this Ruck March on for the past few years. They do a ruck, where they walk with a weighted pack on their backs, because it is a military tradition.

“In the military, we use it for training to get ready, but today, we’re using it to symbolize the weight and the pack that we’re carrying for those individuals that couldn’t be here today,” Lopez said.

“When you’re out there, again, it’s difficult, it’s uncomfortable, it’s hot, it’s sweaty, the weight is a lot on your shoulders, but it’s nothing compared to what those men and women have went through, and what their families went through,” Oppici said.

These veterans said their walk is not meant to be somber, but a day to celebrate the memories of those who laid down their lives.

“Knowing people who have served and lost their lives, it means a lot now, it’s a lot different than what it was when I grew up,” Oppici said.

The ruck march was followed by a flag-folding ceremony.

Tampa is not the only location where POWER is holding their Ruck March, there will be 23 total marches in cities throughout the country.