RI Announces the Return of the Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial by Displaying Boots of RI Fallen at Warwick City Hall Media contact: Development Director, Dee DeQuattro: 401.500.6031

Executive Director, Erik Wallin: 401.742.9055 Operation Stand Down RI will display the boots of the 29 Rhode Island Fallen in front of Warwick City Hall, April 9th and 10th. The boots will be displayed as part of an announcement of the return of the full display of Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial on Memorial Day weekend. In 2020, the annual display of the Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial could not take place as a result of COVID-19. This year, the display of all 7010 boots will return to Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island on Memorial Day weekend (May 28-31).

"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 Dee DeQuattro, founder of the Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial. "We are grateful that Fort Adams is able to welcome us back and we are proud to partner with the city of Warwick and the Warwick Police Department to display the RI Boots and make this important announcement."

"Warwick is honored to team up with Operation Stand Down Rhode Island to honor our veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice. It saddens me to see the memorial grow each year, which is why it's vital to continue honoring them with memorials like this," said Mayor Frank Picozzi.

The Boots, depicting the names and stories of the 29 Rhode Island Fallen, will be on display between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Friday April 9th and Saturday April 10th in front of Warwick City Hall, 3275 Post Rd. Mayor Picozzi and Erik Wallin, OSDRI Executive Director will be available for comment at 9 a.m. on April 9th.