Thousands of boots honor fallen soldiers at Fort Bragg: 'Freedom is not free'
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (WTVD) -- Thousands of combat boots lined the field at Hedrick Stadium on Friday morning, each one representing a service member lost in combat since Sept. 11, 2001. The solemn display, now in its 14th year, stands as a powerful tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
For the first time since joining the Army, Sgt. Brady Callahan placed a boot on the field that carried deep personal meaning.
"He's probably my biggest inspiration for being here," Callahan said, reflecting on his father, Sgt. 1st Class Keith Callahan, who died in Iraq in 2007 when Brady was just 4 years old. "In 2007, he was in Iraq, and he was killed by an IED, an improvised explosive device. Uh, that's pretty much as much as my family was told about it."
Now, after four years in uniform, Callahan said, "His legacy is something I want to live up to. I actually had a chance to be attached to his unit, which was extra special."
It also really helped me understand, hey, this is the true cost of what this country is.- Jean Dorieus, veteran
Each of the 7,500 boots on the field represents someone who served, sacrificed, and paid the ultimate price for freedom. Twenty boots were added this year. Every boot displays a military ID and a photo of a fallen Army service member.
"Freedom is not free; that we're here again on honoring our fallen soldiers," said Tony Pugh, Survivor Outreach Service Program Manager.
Pugh and 150 volunteers carefully placed each boot for the memorial.
"We get a chance to reflect on our fallen soldiers, but also to show our family members that their loved ones are not forgotten," Pugh said.
Among those paying their respects was veteran Jean Dorleus, who came with his son.
"For me, it's almost like therapeutic to come by and see them and talk to them," Dorleus said. "Some of these guys out here, I do know, I have served with. So it takes me back to, you know, those days where we were downrange running and gunning, just innocent kids. It also really helped me understand, hey, this is the true cost of what this country is."
American flags waving in the wind served as more than a memorial; they are a promise that these heroes will never be forgotten.
The memorial display is free and open to anyone who can access the installation. Visitors can request a pass online or stop at the All-American Gate Visitor Center.
Here's a link to get tickets https://home.army.mil/bragg/
