Over 600 boots displayed in Conway to honor fallen soldiers
CONWAY, Ark. – This weekend, 645 combat boots rested on display at Pompe Park’s Veteran Plaza in Conway.
Each one has a name tied to the laces to honor a life lost while serving the country. Sharri Briley’s husband has a pair of combat boots in the front and center.
Arkansas Capitol display honors families of fallen veterans
He was a pilot who served in the battle of Mogadishu in Somalia. For her, this memorial has a lasting effect.
“It’s very powerful to see the over 600 boots here,” Briley said.
Briley is also the executive director of Hearts of our Heroes, the nonprofit that sets up this display every year.
Arkansas family honors ‘fallen hero’ on National Purple Heart Day
The founder of the organization has been working closely with families who have lost loved ones since 2013.
“They just want to make sure that their hero is not forgotten. And so, this is one way we can help them do that,” founder of Hearts of Our Heroes, Andrea Fisher, said, “By saying their names, sharing their pictures, and really continuing to share their legacy with everybody.”
Some of these men and women died while serving as far back as 2001. Families and veterans came to honor these heroes. One of them is Jack Votava, a Vietnam veteran.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg. There was how many more? They’re just gone. And as I look at some of them, I wonder how many of them could’ve been something more,” Votava said.
Fallen Vietnam War veterans honored in Saline County ceremony
Votava said he’s thankful for memorials like this one that honor those fallen, but he believes there should be more of them.
“I like to see anything that honors the veterans because so many times people take advantage of it, you know. They take it for granted,” Votava said.
Sunday was the last day this memorial was displayed, but Hearts of Our Heroes does this on Gold Star Family Day every year.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLRT - FOX16.com.
