Operation Stand Down invites public to Boots on the Ground
Operation Stand Down RI has invited the public to its display of Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial at Fort Adams State Park on Memorial Day weekend (May 28-31).
The memorial opened yesterday, starting at 8 a.m. It will be opened from May 28, 29, and 30 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Memorial Day, May 31 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be a special ceremony for Rhode Island’s Gold Star Families to place the boots of the Rhode Island Fallen at 6:30 p.m. today.
OSDRI unveiled the Invisible Scars of War Monument. This monument recognizes the pain and sacrifices of those Service Members who have succumbed to the invisible scars of war such as depression and PTSD and ultimately committed suicide. “While the circumstances of this monument are heart breaking and tragic, we are proud to have the opportunity to honor those who served our nation and unfortunately were victims to the aftermath of war,” said Dee DeQuattro, OSDRI development director and founder of the Boots on the Ground Memorial.
In 2020, the annual display of the Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial could not take place as a result of COVID-19. “We are excited to announce the return of the full display of the Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial. It was a difficult decision to forego the full display last year due to the pandemic. The display is a stark reminder of a war that has raged on for over two decades and the true sacrifice of the men and women who serve our country,” said DeQuattro. “We are grateful that Fort Adams is able to welcome us back.”
The Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial was launched by OSDRI in 2015. The memorial depicts 7,010 boots adorned with flags and name placards representing the lives of the of the U.S. service members killed in action post 9-11 in the Global War on Terror. The exhibition has been seen by thousands of visitors since its inception in 2015. Every fallen service member is included in the memorial; service members are alphabetized by state allowing individuals to locate loved ones at the memorial.
The first three years the Memorial was displayed at Roger Williams Park in Providence. In 2019, the memorial relocated to Fort Adams State Park in Newport.