Ruckers to descend on Garfield

GARFIELD — Ruck for the Fallen, a non-profit dedicated to raising funds by participating in “rucks,” and hosting or organizing local events and community donations will join Garfield on Saturday, Oct. 14, starting in different towns and converging on Garfield to start the Harvest Festival at 4 p.m. along with a Ruck Silent Auction from 4-7 p.m., where proceeds will go to the Ruck’s Heros Christmas Miracle Fund.

“Our ruck is going to start in different cities like a spiderweb,” Ruck organizer Marletta Sisak said.

Sisak said ruckers would come in from Pullman, Oakesdale, Elberton, Palouse and Steptoe, “We’re so excited to invite any team captains,” Sisak said, noting that those wanting to participate don’t need to ruck the whole distance.

Relay team it, Sisak said, noting that people take turns rucking their flags 26 miles.

Sisak said that the Ruck for the Fallen does not have an online website for mailing merchandise, but they’ve had such a demand that they’ve been sending it all across the world.

Some places Sisak said they’ve sent packages include Utah, Alaska and Wisconsin. “When we say nation strong, we also mean worldwide strong,” she said.

Sisak said they saw a couple of the people and families at the fair that are Ruck’s heroes, which they give to one military and one law enforcement. “We got to see a couple of them out at the fair, which was priceless,” she said.

100 percent of the Ruck for the Fallen profits return to heroes and local heroes. “We were able to ruck and help them,” she said.

Ruck for the Fallen also does an Adopt-A-Hero program for soldiers without support from home. “Their officers and leaders will get us their names, and we will connect those soldiers with a family,” Sisak said, adding that the family will then send the solider one package a month so they’re getting support.

“It’s been a super successful program we’re really proud of,” Sisak said. Sisak said that the ruckers are excited about trying this different style of Ruck.

“They’ll descend on the little town of Garfield from the north and south,” Co-Organizer Leta Palmer said.

“It’s about getting the ruck family together once a year and revving up the support,” Sisak said, adding that it’s to remember what they’re doing and why.

Sisak said anyone interested in rucking can go to the Ruck for the fallen Facebook page and private message Palmer, Sisak or Lenae Holbrook.