Jun 2, 2026

POWER Employees Across 26 Territories Honor the Fallen Through Annual Memorial Day Ruck Marches

Memorial Day traces its origins back to 1868, when communities across the United States began gathering to decorate the graves of fallen Civil War soldiers. More than 150 years later, the holiday has evolved into the unofficial start of summer—a long weekend spent with family and friends, backyard barbecues, and time away from work. Yet for many Americans, it remains something more: a day to pause, reflect, and honor the people who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

As part of the Philadelphia ruck march, Anthony Christy, a member of POWER’s Business Technology department and an Army veteran, shared a heartwarming message that grounded people and refocused their attention on the day’s purpose:

“A lot of people confuse Memorial Day with Veterans Day. Veterans Day is for those who served. Memorial Day is for those who never came home. Some died on distant battlefields. Some died with brothers and sisters beside them. They left behind spouses, parents, children, and friends who still carry that loss every single day.”

That spirit is at the heart of POWER’s annual Memorial Day Ruck Marches, which bring employees, veterans, family members, and community members together to remember those who never came home.

This year, employees across all 26 POWER territories participated in Memorial Day ruck marches, continuing a tradition that has become one of the company’s most meaningful annual initiatives.

What is a Ruck March?

A ruck march is a visceral experience—it involves carrying a weighted backpack while walking a designated route—allowing participants to experience a small measure of the physical and emotional burdens carried by service members. For POWER employees, the marches provide an opportunity to reflect, remember, and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The initiative began in Tampa in 2022 as a local Memorial Day event. As participation and interest grew, the tradition expanded to 12 territories in 2024 and reached all 23 POWER territories in 2025. In 2026, POWER’s three newest territories joined the effort, bringing Memorial Day Ruck Marches to all 26 territories across the company.

Ruck Marches Organized By Our People, for Our People

The marches are organized through POWER Veterans Initiative (PVI), the company’s veteran affinity group founded in 2016. PVI supports veterans, military spouses, and allies throughout the organization while creating opportunities to recognize military service and sacrifice. Today, approximately 12% of POWER employees are veterans.

Across the country, employees, family members, veterans, and community members participated in marches led by local PVI representatives and allies. 

In Philadelphia, approximately 70 people attended despite rainy weather. San Antonio welcomed more than 60 participants, while Orlando drew nearly 60 and received local media coverage. Atlanta’s march brought together employees from sales and delivery teams alongside an active-duty Sailor who shared stories from his recent deployment.

While each march looked different, the purpose remained the same. Participants reflected on the sacrifices made by service members and their families, listened to stories from veterans, and took time to remember those who never returned home. Many attendees who had not served in the military shared their appreciation for gaining a deeper understanding of Memorial Day and its significance.

Several moments stood out across the country. In San Antonio, a veteran a part of another group’s Memorial Day activity encountered a memorial display held by a POWER employee featuring the name of someone he had served with and had passed. Seeing that individual’s memory honored by others reinforced the importance of remembrance and community. In Orlando and Atlanta, local media coverage helped share the purpose of the marches with the broader public.

As POWER continues to grow, Memorial Day Ruck Marches remain rooted in the same purpose that inspired the first event in Tampa four years ago: honoring those who never came home.

To learn more about the origins of POWER’s Memorial Day Ruck Marches, read last year’s article: Power Remembers Those We’ve Lost With Memorial Day Ruck Marches Across the Country.

To the fallen: We remember you. We honor you. And you are not forgotten.

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