Fort Campbell, Ky. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The sixth annual Boots on the Ground display at Fort Campbell is on display now through May 23. More than 7,600 boots lined the lawn of the 101st Airborne Division headquarters. Over 10,000 people are expected to visit the display during the Week of the Eagles ceremony.
An opening ceremony was held Friday with families, friends, comrades, and community members in attendance to honor those who gave all. This year, the boot display serves as the opening event for both Week of the Eagles and Military Survivor Appreciation Week.
Each boot on display is in honor of a fallen service member who died from September 11, 2001 to the present. A tag showed the name, picture, rank, date of death, and location of loss of the represented soldier. The boots were placed on the lawn in chronological order by date of death.
“These were all special Americans. Each and every one of them raised their hand and voluntarily committed to serve in the forces which protect or county and our way of life, and they did so knowing full well they might give their life in the defense of our nation. Celebrate and honor their service and sacrifice to this great nation and this display services as a memorial and a reminder, and it is a true visual reminder that freedom is never free,” said Major General Brian Winski.
Beginning in 2012, Theresa Johnson began the Boots on the Ground display in Hawaii. What started as a way to promote the Fisher House and remember fallen service members, the display has since expanded to Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Hood, Texas; and Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
