Fort Adams State Park will once again host the “Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial” this Memorial Day weekend, honoring U.S. service members who lost their lives in the Global War on Terror.
Organized by Operation Stand Down Rhode Island (OSDRI), the powerful tribute opens to the public at 9 a.m. Friday and runs through the holiday weekend. Admission and parking are free.
More than 7,000 military boots will be placed across the field, each symbolizing an American service member killed in action since the September 11 attacks. Every boot carries a U.S. flag and a name placard, offering a personal connection to the lives lost.
“The sacrifice of service spans all decades and generations,” said Dee DeQuattro, founder of the memorial. “We continue our tradition of reminding Rhode Islanders about the true meaning of Memorial Day: to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
The boots are organized alphabetically by state, allowing visitors to find and remember friends, family, or fellow service members.
A special ceremony for Gold Star families—those who have lost a loved one in military service—will take place Friday evening.
Also featured is the “Invisible Scars of War” Monument, honoring veterans who died by suicide due to combat-related trauma, including PTSD and depression.
First launched in 2016, the memorial has become a poignant Rhode Island tradition, offering a solemn space for reflection and remembrance.
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