Ruck will step at 0600. Participants are expected to arrive at 0530 for check-in/ registration and safety debrief. This ruck will have limited support with options to ruck all or part of the route. Route is along main roads through Boston and its suburbs and public transportation routes. This ruck will challenge participants and give an opportunity for support and camaraderie throughout the day. Family and friends are welcome to show their support at points along the route.

Carry The Fallen is a Ruck-March (Hiking) EVENT with a purpose by and for ACTIVE HEROES, a 501c3 Charity coordinated by Volunteer Team Leaders.
The team will ruck-march for 12 hours while carrying weight that symbolizes the burden that many veterans carry post-war or post-trauma. The ultimate purpose of Carry The Fallen is to reduce veteran suicide and assist Military Families by:
1. Establishing camaraderie to cope with Post Traumatic Stress (anger, depression, loneliness, substance abuse and suicidal tendencies). Uniting veterans, families and supporters to care for each other in times of need.
2. Training Team Leaders how to interact with suicidal veterans and the steps to assist them.
3. Developing a Peer Mentor and Ambassador community of veterans, military families and civilians who support struggling families and/or veterans.
4. Supporting Active Heroes programs including the retreat, community center, and active challenges from donations raised by the Carry The Fallen events that will help reduce veteran suicide with outdoor activity programs and educational programs.

Participants carry weight to symbolize the emotional weight that many veterans might carry after war. Everyday, 20 veterans take their own lives and Active Heroes is working towards reducing these numbers with these programs: free optional national activities, national resources and peer mentors, the Active Heroes Retreat Center and the Active Heroes Community Center where free activities help to heal post traumatic stress disorder.

Carry as much weight that you can carry for the entire march but make sure you don’t over do it for safety. Please wear an Active Heroes or Carry The Fallen shirt to the event to help spread awareness about reducing veteran suicide through Active Heroes. You can find more shirts and gear at: www.activeheroesstore.org.

Safety is very important. Depending on your hiking event the terrain might be on roadways and traffic can be present. Children are allowed to the event but please keep an eye on them for safety. Flashing lights or reflectors belts are encouraged for early morning hiking or night time events. bring plenty of water, sports drinks with no excess sodium, first aide kit and energy snacks. Bathroom breaks are generally planned but keep in mind that Team Leaders are working to keep everyone together to accomplish the long distance event, so stops won’t be frequent unless of medical emergencies.

Above all, the Carry the Fallen events are extremely fun and the entire family can join.

Learn more about the Active Heroes programs at www.ActiveHeroes.org