- June 15, 2025
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The distance between Longboat Key Fire Station 92 on the south end and Station 91 on the north end is roughly 4.5 miles.
In the heat of a May afternoon, walking that distance at a fast pace makes anyone break a sweat and be wary of heat exhaustion. But this month, walks like this are about more than steps for the volunteers of Carry the Load, who walk alongside first responders and families of service members.
A bus arrived at Longboat Key Fire Station 92 in the late afternoon of May 15, ready to continue the nationwide relay on Longboat Key.
As a couple of Longboat Key’s first responders readied to join the relay, Ken Glasgow and Shannon Kehoe approached from the south. The pair finished their section from Lido Key to Longboat’s south fire station.
A high-five and cheers signaled they reached their destination.
Then it was time for Longboat Key to join the walk, and two other members of Carry the Load took the place of Glasgow and Kehoe.
It was the fourth year Longboat Key has been a part of Carry the Load’s national relay. Carry the Load is a non-profit that champions a nationwide movement every year to honor first responders and service members.
Every year, Carry the Load volunteers split up into four routes, all of which lead to Dallas. They start the walk around May 1 and all routes meet up the day before Memorial Day outside of Dallas. Then, on the day, everyone walks into Dallas together.
Between the four routes, volunteers walk 20,000 miles across 48 states. Since the organization began in 2011, it has raised over $45 million, 93% of which goes toward programs that help veterans and service members.
This year was Michelle Floril’s first year walking with the organization. When she heard about the organization’s mission from a friend, she said she immediately wanted to get involved.
“I thought, ‘That’s an amazing mission. Why not get on board,’” Floril said.
Floril, an active member of the U.S. Army Reserves in Virginia, walked in remembrance of a member from her squadron who died by suicide.
She said she wants to help raise awareness about the realities of mental health among service members and how important it is for service members to take care of themselves when they’re off duty.
“I think mental health is such an important topic,” Floril said. “Life doesn’t stop life-ing just when we’re civilians.”
Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi, Fire Administration & Communications Manager Tina Adams and Firefighter Paramedic Chris O'Brien joined the walk to represent Longboat Key.
O’Brien donned an air pack on his back for the entire walk. An average air pack weighs 20 to 30 pounds.
As the group trekked on Gulf of Mexico Drive, cars honked in support and passersby waved or cheered with a thumbs-up.
Brandon Asberry, a firefighter paramedic for the City of Dallas, walked alongside O’Brien, telling him stories of medical calls he’s responded to. O’Brien swapped stories of his own, pointing out memorable calls along the 4.5-mile stretch.
The 4.5-mile walk from Station 92 to Station 91 lasted about an hour and 20 minutes.
It felt like half that.
“Once everyone starts talking, swapping stories, the miles and the time fly by,” Floril said when the group reached Fire Station 91.
And she was right — walking among the camaraderie, the shared respect and in remembrance of others makes the time fly when passion puts people into overdrive.
