PLANS TO REMOVE BOOTS DISPLAY MEMORIAL AT FORT CAMPBELL SPARKS BACKLASH
For thousands of years, humans have found ways to honor their loved ones after they’ve passed, and in the military world, these tributes often have a deeper layer. The boot display at Fort Campbell has served as a memorial to those who have defended our nation since 9/11, and for over a decade, it’s been a place of remembrance and reflection. Now, base officials have announced the end of the display, and many are voicing their disagreement with the decision.
What Is the Boots on the Ground Display at Fort Campbell?
Since 2014, the first Boots on the Ground Display at Fort Campbell has been a way to honor fallen warfighters and has grown from honoring a single person into a memorial for almost 8,000.
Pfc. Timothy Vimoto was killed in Afghanistan on June 5, 2007, and seven years later, the display was started on the lawn of the 101st Airborne Headquarters to remember his sacrifice.
Since then, it’s been an annual event where thousands head to Kentucky to honor those who gave their all for our freedoms.
There is a 10-day period where Fort Campbell displays the boots, and all those who served and died, whether it be on or off of the battlefield, are represented, with nearly 700 within the memorial representing Fort Campbell Soldiers.
Discussing the memorial years ago, Maj. Gen. JP McGee, Commanding General, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell, spoke on the importance of the display and its impact on the military community:
“As was the case in 2014, when we began this ceremony, this display continues to be a labor of love, and we appreciate the tireless effort of our surviving Families and volunteers that contribute their time and energy to make this memorial possible.”
This is just one example of how the boots impact the military community, which is why the decision to remove the display is being met with disappointment and resistance.
Removing the Memorial
After 11 years of paying respect to those who have defended our nation, the boots display at Fort Campbell will be no more. The base has announced that it will be removed and that the 2025 rendition will be its last.
Speaking on the matter, the post’s official Facebook page released a statement saying the following:
“Surviving Family Members, Friends and Families, Fort Campbell Community,
Recently, after a decade of standing as a powerful testament of sacrifice and selflessness, a decision was made to conclude the Fort Campbell Boots Display Memorial. The intent is to transition to the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument on post, where Families can reflect and heal, year-round and at a time of their choosing.
After notifying the Survivors who have a loved one represented in the display, we were made aware of the profound effect the abruptness of the decision had upon them. Taking everyone’s input into consideration, it has been decided to hold one final Fort Campbell Boots Display Memorial this year from May 19-26, 2025. We hear your voices and recognize your pain.
During this final year of the Memorial, everyone whose loved one is represented by the Boots should have the opportunity to take the Boot and memorabilia home with them.
Our Soldiers continue to be honored in our hearts and minds during the Memorial Day Ceremony, and many are memorialized within Memorial Row, the Screaming Eagle Memorial Aerie in Division Headquarters, Gabriel Field, the 160th SOAR compound, and Survivor Outreach Services. We hope you will join us here to celebrate their memory and honor their sacrifice.
The Army Family and community are unlike any other. It is a community filled with resilience and resolve; we remain steadfast. We are here to support you. After this year’s Memorial, the Boots Display will conclude, yet its significance will endure beyond this farewell as we carry forward the spirit of the memorial in new ways.”
Backlash at Fort Campbell and Beyond
“Shameful”, “this should never end,” and “a shame” are just some of the sentiments shared on social media following the announcement by Fort Campbell.
Some Veterans call for the Army to reconsider, while others point to Soldiers not feeling appreciated and the risk that they may be or feel forgotten.
Anyway you look at it, the backlash following Fort Campbell’s announcement to remove the boot display has been swift.
Keep in mind that while several families have personal ties, some of those affected are simply paying respect to the overall military community, thankful for sacrifice.
In other words, the removal of the boots display isn’t just affecting a hyper specific community but is one that impacts Americans as a whole.
Still, the fact remains that a notable amount of backlash is due to the perceived lack of respect for Gold Star Families who continue to be in mourning.
Fort Campbell Boot Display Removal Sparks Concerns for the Future
Assuming there isn’t a change of heart from the military, questions are now being posed about the future of the boots display.
For example, some are calling for a permanent monument to be constructed, as the Army has stated it’s working on, while others are simply confused about how to claim their loved one’s boots if they will no longer be a part of the memorial.
Why this is being done remains somewhat unclear, and while surely the logistics of maintaining such a memorial must be difficult, the sacrifice that these troops have provided our nation deserves a fitting tribute.
If it is the end of the Fort Campbell Boots Display Memorial, the symbol was a great gesture while it lasted, overshadowed only by those whom it represents.
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