NEWPORT, R.I. — Thousands of boots honoring fallen U.S. service members will once again be displayed at Fort Adams in Newport as Operation Stand Down Rhode Island prepares for its 2026 Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial, a tribute held each year during Memorial Day weekend.
The memorial has become one of Rhode Island’s most recognized events honoring military members who made the ultimate sacrifice. Each boot in the display represents a U.S. service member killed in action after the September 11 attacks during the ongoing Global War on Terror.
More than 7,000 boots are accompanied by American flags, photographs and personal information honoring the service members who lost their lives.
The boots are then arranged by state and U.S. territories, with service members ordered alphabetically within each section. The layout allows families, veterans and visitors to more easily locate and honor individual service members.
The memorial serves as both a tribute and a reminder of the sacrifices made by military members and their families. The annual Boots on the Ground for Heroes display has grown into a major community event that draws veterans, families, friends and visitors from across Rhode Island each year.
The event also supports fundraising efforts for Operation Stand Down Rhode Island, which provides services for homeless and at-risk veterans across the state. The organization offers housing assistance, employment and job training support, legal services, benefits assistance, wellness programs and other resources designed to help veterans build long-term stability and independence.
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