Boots on the Ground – volunteers needed

In 2016, Operation Stand Down RI launched the Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial which presented almost 7,000 combat boots adorned with flags and placards. Each boot represents the life of a U.S. service member killed in action post 9-11 in the Global War on Terror.

The placard attached to each boot displays the name and photo of the fallen along with biographical information, military branch, rank and circumstances of death. The Memorial is updated yearly to incorporate additional U.S. service members killed in the ongoing Global War on Terror.

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To be prepared for this event, Operation Stand Down Rhode Island is looking for volunteers on the following days: Wednesday, May 26th between 9 AM – 4 PM Tuesday, June 1st: 9 AM – 12 PM – If you are interested in volunteering, you must sign up online by clicking the below link:

https://osdri.charityproud.org/VolunteerRegistration/Calendar/2510

What you need to know:

Operation Stand Down Rhode Island is requesting volunteers to help for the 2021 Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial.  Volunteers are needed for set up, weekend of help, and breakdown.

The whole event starts on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at 9:00 AM at Fort Adams, Newport, RI

Set up days are as followed:

Tuesday, May 25th 9 AM – 4 PM

Wednesday May 26th 9 AM – 4 PM – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Thursday May 27th 9 AM – 12 Noon

Friday May 28th 9 AM – 12 Noon

Our number one priority on these days, is to get the memorial up with success and in the safest and most efficient way. Please be advised that the need for volunteers and volunteering duties may be subject to change at any given moment. We will be sending any updates about the volunteering needs to the email that was registered with the volunteer online registration.

If you are a corporate office or company who is interested in volunteering- EACH person volunteering needs to sign up through the OSDRI online registration. If your company sends out an internal volunteering portal, you will still need to sign up with OSDRI at our online portal as well.  This helps us correctly account for how many people are attending to help.

Set up will be at FORT ADAMS in Newport. Set up duties consist of getting out boots, cleaning up / shining boots, lacing boots, lining up boots on a predesigned grid, cleaning the boots off, attaching name placards, stuffing boots, and placing out American flags. Volunteers should be physically able to bend down/walk.

We will also need volunteers for the actual event itself. Volunteers to assist with parking in the main lot, assisting at both the entrance and at the exit of the fort, and other miscellaneous duties. We are looking for 4 people to fill each volunteer shift. The following shifts are available:

Saturday May 29th

8-12, 12-4, 4-8

Sunday May 30th

8-12, 12-4, 4-8

Monday May 31st

8-12, 12-3, 3-6

Break down will be on Tuesday June 1st at 9 AM. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!

Break down duties consist of picking up boots, storing boots, picking up tag chains, picking up American Flags, and other miscellaneous duties. This is also a labor intensive activity which needs volunteer assistance.  Please consider signing up for this activity as well as it is just as important as set up.

Please be advised that due to COVID restrictions, the number of volunteers present may be subject to restrictions, therefore, it is imperative to use the online registration. COVID guidelines must be followed.

Should you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Jessica Miller at [email protected] or 401.383.4730.

Sponsors: