OSDRI cancels Boots on the Ground, Gold Star Gala

Due to COVID-19, Operation Stand Down Rhode Island has made the difficult decision to cancel the Fourth Annual Gold Star Gala and Fifth Annual Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial scheduled for Fort Adams State Park in Newport on Memorial Day Weekend.

“This decision does not come lightly to the OSDRI staff and the Boots on the Ground for Heroes Board. These events have such a deep meaning and impact to so many Rhode Islanders and it is with deep remorse that we are cancelling the Memorial. It is our intention that we will return to the park with the display on Memorial Day Weekend of 2021,” said Dee DeQuattro, founder of the Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial and OSDRI Development Director.

“While we cannot in good faith host our event this year, we encourage all Rhode Islanders to take a minute and reflect about the true meaning of Memorial Day this May 25. The past few months have been difficult for many members of the community who are struggling with the restrictions caused by COVID-19. Many sacrifices have been made throughout our state and country but most do not compare to the sacrifice made by our nation’s heroes who laid down their lives in service of our nation,” said DeQuattro.

Due to the state and federal restrictions on large scale gatherings OSDRI cannot host the event. The Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial takes the effort of hundreds of volunteers to set up and thousands of people visit the memorial each year. The recent public health concerns have made an event of this magnitude impossible.

Individuals and sponsors who bought tickets or supported the event can choose to be refunded or have the contribution applied toward next year’s event.

The Memorial involves the display of nearly 7,000 military boots with flags and name placards representing the U.S. Service Members killed post 9/11 during the Global War on Terror. The Memorial continues to grow each year.

The Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial was set for Friday May 22, 2020, until Monday May 25, 2020, at Fort Adams State Park. The Gala was scheduled for May 22, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.

In 2019, the Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial was hosted for the first time at Fort Adams State Park in Newport. The three years prior, the memorial had been displayed at Roger Williams Park in Providence.