PALO DURO CANYON — With the morning sun cresting the canyon walls, 135 participants gathered Sunday for an endurance-testing, nine-mile ruck march to the Lighthouse formation — the largest turnout yet for The Ruck Up Foundation’s annual Memorial Day weekend event honoring fallen service members.

Founded in 2017 by Panhandle combat veterans, The Ruck Up Foundation began as a modest tribute to the fallen with only a handful of participants. It has since grown into a grassroots movement focused on preserving the names and legacies of Gold Star families through community-driven events.

In recent years, the foundation has expanded its mission — moving beyond remembrance to active support. In addition to the annual memorial ruck, Ruck Up now provides scholarships, hosts appreciation dinners, a

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