Boots on the Ground for Heroes 5K
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Boots on the Ground for Heroes 5K
The Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial 5K is scheduled for May 23, 2026 in Newport, Rhode Island. The event is organized as a memorial walk and run that follows a ceremony honoring the 29 Rhode Islanders killed after 9/11 in the Global War on Terror.
The 5K course runs through Fort Adams State Park and begins and ends on the parade field inside Fort Adams. Proceeds from the event support the Boots on the Ground Memorial and Operation Stand Down Rhode Island, the state non-profit that serves homeless and at-risk veterans.
The Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial was launched in 2016 by Operation Stand Down Rhode Island. The exhibition displays over 7,000 boots adorned with flags and name placards representing U.S. service members killed in action after 9/11. The memorial includes every fallen service member and lists them alphabetically by state so visitors can locate particular names. The exhibition has been seen by tens of thousands of visitors and continues to grow as the Global War on Terror continues.
Every participant in the 5K will receive a 2026 Boots on the Ground for Heroes event t-shirt. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
