By Charlie Daniels Jr.
| June 1, 2021 | 10:26am EDT
Members of Shepherd's Men running team arrive as Charlie Daniels' The Journey Home Project presents Shepherd Center Foundations, Inc. with a check on March 31, 2016 in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo credit: Jason Davis/Getty Images)
At approximately 8:30, I arrived at Mt. Juliet Memorial Gardens, where the mortal shell that once housed my beloved father now resides. There were more cars and trucks and people there that day than probably since we buried dad in July.
The conglomeration of CDB family and friends, including my mom, Mt. Juliet’s finest, and a determined group of men and one woman who were about to embark on a very difficult journey. The Shepherd’s Men were about to ruck – essentially a run/march – fifteen miles from dad’s grave to Sammy B's Restaurant in Lebanon, carrying 83 lbs. in a backpack, symbolizing dad’s 83 years on earth.