Tyler Brooks, a 26-year-old veteran who lost both legs in Afghanistan, dreamed of marching in the Veterans Day parade like his grandfather. Denied by the city due to inaccessible cobblestone streets, he was offered a float instead. Undeterred, Tyler sought help from the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Club. Jim “Tank” Morrison, a Vietnam vet, vowed to carry him the entire three-mile route.
Despite the mayor’s threats to ban the club, Tank carried Tyler, surrounded by supportive veterans. The crowd’s emotional response went viral, with #CarryThemAll trending. At the two-mile mark, the mayor confronted them, but Tank and Tyler’s words exposed his indifference. When Tank’s knees gave out, civilians joined, carrying both men to the finish line.
The mayor’s career ended in scandal. The story spurred the Veterans Parade Accessibility Act, mandating accessibility for federally funded parades. The city made its historic district permanently accessible and launched veteran support programs. Tank, now using a cane, inspired the club’s growth to 200 members across 12 states, dedicated to helping wounded warriors. Tyler marches annually on prosthetics, sharing their story. Their act proved that true brotherhood means carrying each other’s burdens, reminding America that supporting veterans requires action, not just words.
