FORT CAMPBELL, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The final Boots Display Memorial is taking place this week at Fort Campbell, honoring almost 8,000 soldiers who gave their lives for their country.
In addition to the boots of all services members of all branches killed in action since Sept. 11, 2001, the Fort Campbell display has included boots for service members who died while stationed at Fort Campbell regardless the manner of death and soldiers not assigned to Fort Campbell whose primary next of kin live locally and have requested a boot in the display.
On Thursday, Fort Campbell also held its Memorial Day Ceremony, with Maj. Gen. Brett Sylvia placing a large yellow wreath on the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument. That monument was unveiled in May 2022. Since that unveiling, the annual Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day Ceremony has been conducted there.
This will be the final year for the large-scale outdoor Boots Display, showcased from May 19-26. During this final memorial, everyone who has a loved one represented will have the opportunity to take the boot and memorabilia home with them.
A Fort Campbell spokesperson told Christian County Now that the change came about after it was realized that they did not have an equivalent memorial event for Gold Star families and veterans of other conflicts. In order to show the proper respect for all, they are shifting honors to Memorial Row, which recognizes fallen service members from every combat era of the nation.
If a surviving family member is unable to collect the boot of their fallen service member, they may coordinate with family or friends to collect the boot on their behalf or contact the Survivor Outreach Services office by calling (270) 956-1205, (270) 798-0277, or (270) 412-8457 to make arrangements. Boots will be available until May 2027.
| DON’T MISS A STORY: Click here to sign up for our free weekly email newsletter