Roseville veteran Nicholas Busse marched in honor of Memorial Day

West Roseville resident and Leaf Home military and veterans program head Nicholas Busse hosted the inaugural Roseville Memorial Day Veterans Ruck March on Friday at Veterans Memorial Park at 1750 Blue Oaks Blvd. Leaf Home provides "homeowners and their families safety, enjoyment, convenience, and peace of mind through innovative, professionally installed solutions that protect the condition and grow the value of their homes," according to its website. Busse, 37, began and ended his march at Veterans Memorial Park in Roseville and marched down Blue Oaks Boulevard for about two miles by himself. He proudly carried the American flag over his shoulder. Although Busse welcomed veterans, civilians, first responders and nurses to march with him, no one showed up. Potential attendees had to work, according to Busse. Before Friday's march, Busse told Gold Mountain California News, "I'm still taking the march, even by myself, carrying the American flag, hoping others on the road see it or honk and maybe possibly people will join." Many drivers showed their support by honking, waving and shouting encouragement. About halfway through the march, Busse said he was surprised his leg didn't give out from the flag's weight and from prior surgery on his right leg. Busse said he walked 10 miles in desert terrain nearly every day in Iraq when he served in the military in 2006. The constant exertion on his calf muscles caused significant damage to his muscle and tendons, which he said required surgery. After finishing the two-mile march Friday, Busse put the American flag, a Leaf Home plaque and a Leaf Home challenge coin on display at the park. "Traditionally, they might be given to prove membership when asked and to enhance morale," Busse said, "We at Leaf Home, felt it was important to include some military norms and traditions within our culture by adopting our own veteran coin." Busse served in the military for 13 years starting in October 2006 in the field artillery unit under the 1st Infantry Division and the 1st Cavalry. He managed more than 200 combat operations in Iraq, Busse said, and then became a recruiter in 2012. Working at Leaf Home since 2019, Busse wants to host more veterans' special events in the Roseville and Placer area. Busse said he began hosting events in Roseville after winning Veteran Champion of the Year in Corporate America earlier this year. Busse was among 27 veterans presented with the Veteran Champion of the Year award "for their advocacy on behalf of America's veterans and military employees in helping to establish and grow long-term sustainable opportunities, services and programs within their organizations," according to Viqtory. Since then, Busse has been working on hosting some family-friendly events in the area. He also wants to start a nonprofit organization, Connecting Heroes. He wants to start it in "Placer County to support our military veterans, first responders, Frontline, workers, as well as families in those with disabilities," he said. For more information, email Busse at nbusse@leafhome.com.