This Memorial Day weekend, a group of veterans and their supporters will march 10 miles through Houston’s heat — not in competition, but in remembrance.
They’ll each carry 50 pounds on their backs, symbolizing the weight of sacrifice, loss, and the burdens that many service members continue to carry long after leaving the battlefield.
For Navy veteran Jonathan, this walk is about more than fitness. It’s about purpose.
“When my buddy Jason — he’s military too — called me and said, ‘Let’s do this walk from Humble to Kingwood, carrying 50 pounds,’ I thought, ‘Man, you’re crazy.’ But I said yes,” Jonathan said. “Because we’re doing it for something bigger than ourselves.”
Carrying the Weight
Jonathan says the 50 pounds aren’t just a physical challenge. They’re symbolic of the mental and emotional weight that service members shoulder — and a tribute to those who never came home.
“It’s about honoring the ones we’ve lost,” he said. “We carry their weight with us — always. This is our way of showing that.”
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He plans to walk the full 10 miles carrying an American flag, hoping to turn heads and spark meaningful conversations along the way.
“Let people see us. Let them ask questions. We want this to stop people in their tracks and remind them what Memorial Day really means.”
A Walk for Everyone
The walk from Humble to Kingwood will take several hours and is open to anyone who wants to participate — no military experience required. Whether someone walks the full distance or just a block, with 50 pounds or without, Jonathan says it’s about showing up.
“If your heart’s in the right place, that’s all that matters,” he said. “You can carry a dumbbell, a water bottle, your kid on your shoulders — or just walk beside us. Just be there.”
Though Jonathan served in the Navy, he says the bond between all veterans runs deep — and this march is a way to honor everyone who served and sacrificed, no matter the branch.
“I’m not walking for just one person. I’m walking for all of them. Everyone we’ve lost. Every family still grieving. That’s who this is for.”
A Reminder of Ongoing Struggles
The walk also serves to raise awareness about the real challenges many veterans face after their service:
- According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, an average of 17 veterans die by suicide every day.
- More than 37,000 veterans experience homelessness on any given night.
- Many veterans live with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, chronic pain, and ongoing difficulties transitioning back to civilian life.
- A 2023 VA report found about 25% of post-9/11 veterans say they’ve struggled with re-entering society.
“These aren’t just numbers,” Jonathan said. “These are real people. Friends. Shipmates. Some of them didn’t get the support they needed in time. That’s why we keep talking, and why we keep walking.”
Walk with Purpose
Jonathan says the walk isn’t meant to be fast — it’s meant to be intentional.
“Each step is a moment to reflect. To remember someone. To honor the silence left behind.”
He hopes this first walk will grow into a yearly tradition — a moving memorial with a message.
“It’s not about me or Jason or how tough we are. It’s about them — the ones who aren’t here anymore. And as long as we can walk, we’ll keep carrying them forward.”
