Memories of Honor receives $5,000 grant for Boots of Honor Memorial documentary
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
FRANKLIN, Tenn., (KBSI) — Memories of Honor has received a $5,000 grant through the Tennessee America 250 initiative to support the creation of a documentary preserving the Boots of Honor Memorial.
The grant was awarded by the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial and will help fund a short film documenting the memorial and the public remembrance surrounding it.
The Boots of Honor Memorial is an annual, multi-day public installation featuring more than 7,000 combat boots, each representing a fallen U.S. service member by name. Each pair of boots includes a card displaying a photograph and identifying information. Organizers say the installation helps make the human cost of war visible to the public while serving as a symbolic tribute for surviving families.
Funding for the Tennessee America 250 grants was made available by the state and administered by the Tennessee State Museum on behalf of the commission to support activities commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The second round of the Tennessee America 250 grant program drew 365 applications requesting more than $6.3 million in funding. The commission awarded full or partial grants to 194 projects across 73 counties, totaling about $2.27 million. A full list of grant recipients is available at tn250.com.
“I am inspired by the excitement across the state to commemorate our nation’s 250th anniversary,” said Ashley Howell, executive director of the Tennessee State Museum and chair of the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial. “This year will be filled with exhibitions, programs, festivals and preservation of our local and state history. We hope these projects inspire Tennesseans across the state to engage with the anniversary in 2026.”
Amy Cotta, founder and executive director of Memories of Honor, said the grant will help expand the impact of the memorial.
“As a Blue Star Mom, I know first-hand that behind every pair of boots is a family whose life was forever changed,” Cotta said. “This grant allows us to capture the heart of the Boots of Honor Memorial on film and ensure the names and legacies of our fallen service members are preserved for generations.”
The Tennessee America 250 Project Support Grants and Community Support Grants allowed maximum requests of $20,000 and $25,000. All projects funded in the second round must be completed by April 30, 2027.
Memories of Honor is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring fallen service members and supporting surviving families through memorial installations, athletic events and community engagement. Its Boots of Honor Memorial serves as the organization’s flagship project.
The Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial was created by the Tennessee General Assembly in 2019 to coordinate the state’s participation in commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
