GUNNISON, Utah — On Sept. 9-10, the Gunnison Gut Check presented by United We March and sponsored by Mountain America Credit Union, in partnership with other community entities, unfolded in Central Utah with hundreds of people in attendance to help raise funds for men and women in uniform. “My love of veterans, law enforcement and first responders, it just enveloped into this,” said Justen Mellor, founder of United We March. Mellor, who grew up in Gunnison, established the non-profit organization in 2018 and carried out the first gut check. Each year since then, the money raised is distributed to local and national organizations that extend a helping hand to these groups.

Five years after founding United We March and one day before the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Mellor and hundreds of residents, including soldiers, veterans, first responders and officers from different agencies, made their way down Gunnison City’s Main Street carrying Big Betsy, a quarter-acre-size American flag, to the city park six blocks away. Each year, the two-day event includes a patriotic procession, auction, motivational speakers and a gut check. The gut check is the final physical challenge.

To learn more or donate to United We March, you can visit their official Facebook page.