The Veteran's Lounge

05/25/2026

Here is the walking route for Tomorrow!

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05/24/2026

TOMORROW IS THE DAY, UTAH COUNTY! 🇺🇸🥾
The wait is over. Months of planning, training, and community support have all led to this. Tomorrow morning—Monday, May 25th—we step off for the 4th Annual Memorial Day Ruck March.

If you’re reading this and haven't decided if you're coming yet, consider this your final bat-signal. Whether you are carrying a heavy rucksack, pushing a stroller, or just meeting us at the park to eat a pulled pork sandwich, your presence matters. Tomorrow, we prove that Community is the Cure.

Here is your adjusted, final night-before timeline and checklist so we can hit the ground running.

⏰ The New Timeline
7:30 AM | Check-In & Registration Opens (Orem Cemetery): Head to the registration tables to grab your handcrafted felt poppy. If you purchased a Premium Package, this is where you pick up your official 2026 shirt and gear! (Yes, you can still register in person tomorrow morning!)

8:15 AM | Opening Ceremony: We will gather for brief opening remarks, a prayer, and a moment of silence to ground ourselves in why we march.

8:30 AM | First Group Steps Off: Our fast-paced ruckers and heavily weighted packs hit the pavement.

9:00 AM | Final Group Steps Off: Our main community walk group, families, and strollers step off together.

10:30 AM – 1:00 PM | The Fundraiser BBQ (Cook Family Park): The march concludes next to the Pleasant Grove Cemetery at Cook Family Park. The grills will be hot, the food will be ready, and the party goes until 1:00 PM!

🎒 Final Night-Before Checklist
Footwear: Lay out the shoes or boots you know are broken in. No brand-new shoes tomorrow!

Hydration: Drink a glass of water right now before you go to bed. Bring a water bottle or hydration bladder for the route (we will have refill stations at the Lindon and PG cemeteries).

Flags & Poppies: If you have an American flag, bring it! Let's line the streets of Utah County with red, white, and blue.

Waivers: To speed up the check-in lines tomorrow morning, families and individuals will be able to sign our quick master liability and photo release waiver right at the tables.

🍔 Not Marching? Join us for Lunch!
You do not have to walk a single mile to support our local veterans. The entire community is invited to the Fundraiser BBQ at Cook Family Park between 10:30 AM and 1:00 PM. * 💵 $8 Adult Meal: Pulled Pork Sandwich, Chips, and a Drink

💵 $4 Kids Meal: Hotdog, Crackers, and a Drink

100% of all food proceeds stay right here in Utah County to fund The Vet Lounge veteran su***de prevention and peer-support programs.

Get some rest tonight. Let's honor the fallen, support the living, and show our veterans that they never have to walk alone. See you at the starting line!

🔗 Last-minute route info and details: https://www.thevetlounge.org/2026-memorial-day-ruck-march

05/23/2026

2 DAYS OUT: The Weekend is Here, Utah County! 🇺🇸

The holiday weekend is officially in full swing, the campfires are lit, and we are just 48 hours away from the 4th Annual Memorial Day Ruck March.

If you’ve been putting off registering or waiting to see what your weekend looked like, this is your official green light. There is still time to join us this Monday morning to honor our fallen heroes and support the veterans who are still here with us.

The Final Monday Schedule

Screenshot this, memorize it, or text it to your crew. Here is exactly how Monday morning is going down:

📍 7:00 AM | Check-In Opens: Meet us at the Orem Cemetery. If you grabbed a Premium Package, this is where you pick up your official shirt and gear! If you're doing the free walk, come grab your handcrafted felt poppy.

🗣️ 7:45 AM | Opening Ceremony: A brief morning ceremony to center ourselves, honor the fallen, and remember exactly why we are marching.

🥾 8:00 AM | Step-Off: We hit the pavement! We will be moving at a community-friendly pace along a beautiful 5-mile route through Orem and Lindon, heading north.

🍔 10:00 AM | The Finish Line BBQ: We arrive at Cook Family Park (right next to the Pleasant Grove Cemetery) for a massive community celebration and fundraiser lunch.

Last-Minute Questions? We’ve Got Answers.

"Can I just show up on Monday if I didn't register online?"
Yes! Online registration helps us gauge how many poppies to make and how much pork to smoke, but we will never turn anyone away. If you didn't sign up online, just show up at 7:00 AM at the Orem Cemetery and check in at the tables.

"What if I only want to do the BBQ?"
Please do! The Fundraiser BBQ at Cook Family Park is open to the entire public starting at 10:00 AM. You don't have to walk a single step to come eat, hang out, and support the mission.

💵 Adult Meals ($8): Pulled Pork Sandwich, Chips, and a Drink
💵 Kids Meals ($4): Hotdog, Crackers, and a Drink

100% of all food proceeds directly fund The Vet Lounge local veteran su***de prevention programs.

Let’s line the streets with flags and show our veterans that Utah County has their back. See you Monday morning!

🔗 View the route map or register for the free walk here: https://www.thevetlounge.org/2026-memorial-day-ruck-march

05/20/2026

We are officially 6 days away from the 4th Annual Memorial Day Ruck March! Whether you’re carrying a 30lb weighted pack or pushing a stroller in the free walk, a little preparation goes a long way.

To make sure your 6-mile trek from Orem to Pleasant Grove is all about honoring the fallen (and not about fighting blisters), here is your Tip Tuesday prep checklist:

1. 🚫 No New Boots on Monday!
The absolute golden rule of rucking: do not wear brand-new shoes on the day of the march. Wear shoes or boots you’ve already broken in. Your heels will thank you.

2. 🧦 The Secret is in the Socks
Skip the cheap cotton socks. Cotton traps moisture and causes blisters. Go with a good merino wool or synthetic athletic sock. If you're prone to blisters, try wearing a thin liner sock underneath your main pair.

3. 💧 Hydrate Today, Not Sunday Night
If you start chugging water the night before the ruck, you're already behind. Start increasing your water intake this week so your muscles are fully hydrated and ready for the pavement.

4. 📦 Pack the Weight High and Tight
If you are adding weight to your pack, make sure it’s secured high up against your upper back, not sagging at the bottom of the bag. Wrap weights in a towel or yoga block to keep them from shifting around while you move.

The Countdown Details:
🗓️ When: Monday, May 25th (Memorial Day)
⏰ Time: Check-in at 7:00 AM | Step-off at 8:00 AM
📍 Start: Orem Cemetery
📍 Finish & BBQ: Cook Family Park (next to the PG Cemetery)

Even if you aren't marching, don't forget you can still join us at Cook Family Park starting at 10:00 AM to grab a pulled pork sandwich and support The Vet Lounge mission of local veteran su***de prevention.

🔗 Register for the free walk, sign up to volunteer, or grab BBQ tickets here: https://www.thevetlounge.org/2026-memorial-day-ruck-march

Join The Veterans Lounge for a 7-mile Ruck March through Orem, Lindon, and Pleasant Grove to honor the fallen and support Veteran su***de prevention.

05/19/2026

: 7 Days to the Starting Line! 🇺🇸

Utah County, we are one week away from the 4th Annual Memorial Day Ruck March!

If you have been thinking about committing to this march but haven’t yet, today is the day to lace up and decide: Why will you ruck?

At The Vet Lounge, we don't march just to test our endurance. We march because:
✨ We promised the fallen they would never be forgotten.
✨ We walk past the headstones to remind the living that we’ve got their six.
✨ Every dollar funded through the BBQ keeps our peer-support programs fighting veteran isolation all year long.

We rucking are for the 22 a day we lost, but even more so, we are rucking for the veterans who are still here, proving that connection is the cure.

Final Logistics Check:
🚶 FREE WALK: Register for the 5-mile march (FREE felt poppy included!). Open to all ages and fitness levels.

🚧 VOLUNTEERS: We still need Road Guards and Hydration Heroes at the Lindon and Pleasant Grove cemeteries. (Short shifts, high impact!).

🍔 BBQ TICKETS: The finish line BBQ at Cook Family Park (next to PG Cemetery) is open to the entire community starting at 10:00 AM! Grab your lunch tickets online now to ensure we have a meal for you!

Let’s make this final week count. Commit to the mission.

🔗 Final Registration, BBQ Tickets, and Volunteer Sign-ups: https://www.thevetlounge.org/2026-memorial-day-ruck-march

05/18/2026

"Show me the manner in which a nation cares for its dead, and I will measure with mathematical exactness the tender mercies of its people." — William E. Gladstone

As we pause for this Sunday Reflection, we are exactly 8 days away from the 4th Annual Memorial Day Ruck March. Today, we want to look closely at the route we take on Monday, May 25th, because every mile has a profound purpose.

Our 5-mile march intentionally connects three sacred spaces in our community:

The Orem Cemetery (Our Start Line)

The Lindon Cemetery (Our Midway Hydration Point)

The Pleasant Grove Cemetery (Our Finish Line)

Past Headstones, Toward Hope
When we ruck past the final resting places of generations of Utah County veterans, it changes the atmosphere. The weight in our packs shifts from a physical challenge to a deeply spiritual honor. We march past the headstones to whisper a promise to those who gave everything: You are remembered.

But our march doesn't end inside the gates of the cemetery. It finishes just outside them, at Cook Family Park.

This transition is the entire heartbeat of The Vet Lounge. We look back to honor the fallen, but we step forward into the park to fight for the living. The fundraiser BBQ at the end is our way of building the fierce, unbreakable community that our living veterans need to survive and thrive.

How You Can Stand With Us Next Monday:
🚶 Join the March (FREE): Walk the route with us. Every participant receives a handcrafted felt poppy to pin over their heart.

🍔 Join the BBQ: Skip the walk and meet us at Cook Family Park starting at 10:00 AM to buy lunch ($8 adults / $4 kids). 100% of the food proceeds stay right here in Utah County to fund veteran peer-support and su***de prevention.

🚧 Volunteer: We still need a few more neighborhood road guards to keep our route safe as we cross intersections.

Let’s bridge the past and the future together.

🔗 Register to walk, volunteer, or view the full schedule here: https://www.thevetlounge.org/2026-memorial-day-ruck-march

05/16/2026

🚨 10 DAYS OUT: The countdown to Memorial Day is officially on! 🚨

This Saturday, the calendar hits single digits, but today we are exactly 10 days away from lacing up our boots and taking a stand for our local veterans. If you’ve been waiting to commit, this is your sign to join us.

We’ve had a lot of questions rolling in this week, so let’s do a quick Friday breakdown of what to expect on Monday, May 25th:

The Quick Facts:

📍 Start Line: Orem Cemetery. Check-in opens at 7:00 AM, opening ceremony at 7:45 AM, and we step off sharply at 8:00 AM.

🚶 The Route: A beautiful, meaningful 5-mile march through Orem and Lindon, finishing up in Pleasant Grove.

🍔 The Finish Line & BBQ: We are ending at Cook Family Park (right next to the Pleasant Grove Cemetery) around 10:00 AM for a massive community fundraiser BBQ!

"Do I have to be a hardcore athlete?"

Absolutely not. This is a community march, not a selection course. You will see active-duty military carrying 50+ lbs, families pushing strollers, veterans walking side-by-side, and local supporters just carrying an American flag. Walk at your own pace. Carry weight, carry a backpack, or carry nothing at all—just carry yourself there.

Three Ways to Support the Mission Today:

Register for the FREE Walk: It costs $0 to march with us. Every single walker gets a handcrafted felt poppy to wear in honor of the fallen.

Buy BBQ Tickets: Not up for the 5-mile walk? Skip the march and meet us at Cook Family Park at 10:00 AM to buy lunch! ($8 for adults, $4 for kids).

Volunteer: We still need a few more Road Guards to keep our route safe and Hydration Heroes to pass out water at the Lindon and PG cemeteries.

Every registration, volunteer hour, and pulled pork sandwich purchased directly funds The Vet Lounge peer-support and su***de prevention programs right here in Utah County.

🔗 Secure your spot, buy BBQ tickets, or sign up to volunteer here: https://www.thevetlounge.org/2026-memorial-day-ruck-march

Join The Veterans Lounge for a 7-mile Ruck March through Orem, Lindon, and Pleasant Grove to honor the fallen and support Veteran su***de prevention.

05/15/2026

The countdown is officially at 11 days, Utah County! 🗓️

Today, we’re talking about the "The Gear and The Grind." For those who are new to our community, you might be asking: "Do I actually have to carry a heavy backpack?"

The short answer? Only if you want to.

What is a "Ruck," anyway?

In the military, "rucking" is simply moving from point A to point B with all your gear on your back. It’s a test of physical endurance and mental grit.

For our Memorial Day march, we embrace "The Ruck" as a symbol:

The Physical Weight: Some of our marchers will carry 20, 30, or even 50+ lbs to push their limits.

The Symbolic Weight: We all carry the weight of the heroes we’ve lost and the brothers and sisters we are fighting to keep here today.
Whether you carry a 50lb weighted pack, a small backpack with water, or just the clothes on your back—you belong here. This isn't a race; it’s a shared burden and a shared mission.

Last-Minute Logistics:

📍 The Finish Line: Don’t forget! We are ending at Cook Family Park (next to the PG Cemetery) for our Fundraiser BBQ.

🙋‍♂️ Volunteers Needed: We still need a few more "Road Guards" and "Hydration Heroes" to keep our marchers safe and fueled.

🍔 BBQ Tickets: Even if you aren't walking, you can still buy a BBQ meal at the park to support The Vet Lounge mission!

Every step we take together is a step toward preventing veteran isolation.

🔗 Register for the FREE WALK or grab a remaining BBQ spot here: https://www.thevetlounge.org/2026-memorial-day-ruck-march

Join The Veterans Lounge for a 7-mile Ruck March through Orem, Lindon, and Pleasant Grove to honor the fallen and support Veteran su***de prevention.

05/14/2026

📢 CALLING ALL NON-RUCKERS! We Need Your Help! 📢

The 4th Annual Memorial Day Ruck March is only 12 days away! While participants are gearing up to tackle the 2-hour route from Orem to Pleasant Grove to honor our fallen, we need a strong "Home Team" to make sure they get there safely and smoothly.

You don’t need to wear a uniform or carry a heavy pack to make an impact. We need enthusiastic volunteers to fill crucial logistical roles!

We Are Recruiting For:

📋 Check-In Crew (Orem Cemetery): Start the day right! We need help checking in registered walkers and handing out free felt poppies from 7:00 AM to 8:30 AM.

🚧 Road Guards (Major Crossings): Safety first! We need volunteers to act as course marshals and road guards at major intersections along the route in Orem, Lindon, and Pleasant Grove to manage traffic and guide the marchers (0800-1000).

💧 Hydration Station Teams (Lindon & PG Cemeteries): Be the hero of the day! Hand out water and snacks, cheer on the ruckers as they pass through the Lindon Cemetery and upon arrival at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery finish area (0830-1030).

By volunteering, you are standing in the gap for our local veteran community. It's a fantastic way to honor Memorial Day, support The Vet Lounge, and connect with your neighbors without having to march the full route.

We promise good vibes, patriotic music, and the profound gratitude of every tired rucker!

👉 SEND US AN EMAIL IF YOU'D LIKE TO HELP OUT: [email protected]

Or comment "VOLUNTEER" below, and we will PM you the details!

05/13/2026

Today is T-Shirt Deadline Day. If you want to guarantee your size for the 4th Annual Memorial Day Ruck March, you need to lock in your registration TODAY.
We are placing the official order for our 2026 event shirts this afternoon. While we always order a few extras, the only way to make sure you aren't stuck with a size that doesn't fit is to sign up for the Premium Package right now.
The Premium Package ($40) Includes:
👕 The Official 2026 Event Shirt (Guaranteed size if you order today!)
🎖️ Commemorative 2026 Hat Pin
🌺 Handcrafted Felt Poppy
🍔 Full Pulled Pork BBQ Meal at Cook Family Park
Every dollar from your $40 registration stays right here in Utah County to fund The Vet Lounge mission: connecting veterans to prevent isolation and su***de.
Event Logistics Reminder:
When: Monday, May 25th (Memorial Day)
Start: 8:00 AM at Orem Cemetery
Route: Marching through Orem and Lindon to Pleasant Grove
Finish: Fundraiser BBQ at Cook Family Park (Next to the PG Cemetery)
Not looking for the gear? The walk is, and always will be, FREE for the entire community. We just want you there!
🔗 LOCK IN YOUR SHIRT SIZE NOW: https://www.thevetlounge.org/2026-memorial-day-ruck-march