1. LOGISTICS FOR STONE PICKUP AND DROP OFF. Bottom line – If you take a stone, we need it back. There is a check out procedure to follow and the stones are at the Portland Maine Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), 510 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04101; 207-775-3409; Pick up and drop off is your responsibility, and only during working hours (M-F, 0700-1400). DO NOT ASK to meet outside these times. TSP volunteers will help with this process.
2. LEARN ABOUT OUR FALLEN HEROES. Unlike other community organizations, TSP requires that volunteers conduct research and learn something substantial about our fallen heroes. Wearing a t-shirt w their names is easy. Researching their character and why they served is hard. You promise to start by memorizing his/her name, rank, service and hometown. Watch the video testimonials from their family that are posted on this site under the pages of each fallen hero, then GO learn even more about that hero’s integrity, courage, personality and family. Please initial below.*
3. BEAR THE WEIGHT. You promise to treat the stone with respect. It is a living symbol of a fallen hero and represents the best in him/her. Each surviving family has carefully selected that stone and donated it to TSP. They are irreplaceable. During your trek, you must physically carry the stone, under human power over a distance over ground, feeling the weight and mass. When it gets heavy, think about the fallen and his/her family. This is why TSP is a living memorial.
4. DELIVERABLE TO TSP. We ask you to take pictures and keep a journal of your journey. Let the photos and narrative tell the story of what you did and where you went. At the final destination, please take a picture of you holding the stone and send to (info@thesummitproject.org), and describe the setting in detail with dates, names, etc.
5. DELIVERABLE TO THE FAMILY. Within ten days of the end of your journey, TSP REQUIRES that all participants write a short letter and communicate your experience with the surviving family. You must share what this project meant to you because it will mean the world to them. One-half a page letter will work, be sincere, and be genuine. Please post these reflections on the hero’s page of the website (www.thesummitproject.org) in the comment box at the bottom of your hero’s page. This is one of the most powerful aspects of TSP and ensures their memory endures and tells the family that their loved ones are NOT forgotten.
6. SPREAD THE WORD / SUPPORT TSP. Finally, you promise to tell others about The Summit Project and how we honor and sustain the memories of our fallen heroes from Maine. Share TSP with your family and friends. TSP a living memorial – it’s a sacred honor. There is NO other project like it in America!