NEW YORK – Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and the NYC Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS), in partnership with New York Road Runners, today announced that registration is open for the inaugural Remembrance Ruck, a City-sponsored ruck celebrating and honoring New York City’s veteran and military community.
The Remembrance Ruck will take place September 13 and kick off at 9:00 a.m. The Ruck will begin at Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn, cross the Brooklyn Bridge and conclude at Foley Square in Manhattan.
The event is open to all, including veterans, active-duty service members, reservists, caregivers, survivors, Gold Star Families, military families, members of the broader military community and civilians. Anyone who wishes to participate and show their support can register at on.nyc.gov/ruck.
The Ruck will culminate in a resource fair at Surrogate’s Court, connecting veterans, service members, military families and members of the broader military-affiliated community with resources and services. Attendees will have access to information and support related to housing, mental health, health care, benefits, financial assistance, community engagement and other essential services. The fair will make these resources more accessible and easier to navigate for those who have served and their families.
“New York City would not be complete without the countless contributions, courage and conviction of the service members, veterans and families who call our City home,” said Mayor Mamdani. “The Remembrance Ruck will bring New Yorkers together to honor and support the people who have served and continue to serve our country and city. We are grateful to our veterans and their families for their sacrifice, and our administration will continue working to ensure they have the support and resources they deserve.”
“Rucking holds a special meaning within the military community. For so many of our veterans, carrying a ruck was part of their everyday service, a symbol of endurance, resilience, and carrying the mission forward together. This Ruck is an opportunity to honor that service and sacrifice, while also recognizing the families who carried the weight of that service alongside them,” said Department of Veterans Service Commissioner Yesenia Mata. “But honoring our military community must extend beyond a single day. Our veterans and their families deserve to know that the community they served is here to support them in return. By bringing together critical resources, services, and community partners, we are ensuring that veterans and military families know where to turn, how to access the benefits they have earned, and most importantly, that they never have to navigate that journey alone.”
The NYC Department of Veterans’ Services’ mission is to connect, mobilize and empower New York City’s Veteran community to foster purpose-driven lives for U.S. military service members— past and present — and their caregivers, survivors and families. The Department assists NYC Veteran community members on issues including employment, housing, food security, wellbeing, benefits, culture and targeted advocacy. For more information about DVS programs and services, please visit www.nyc.gov/vets, call (212) 416- 5250 or email connect@veterans.nyc.gov.
