Conway, Arkansas – The City of Conway, Arkansas, has cemented its commitment to honoring fallen military service members with the permanent installation of the Fallen Heroes Combat Boot Display. In a new partnership with Hearts of Our Heroes, Conway has designated its Veterans Plaza at Pompe Park as the official location for this moving tribute. This powerful display will now be showcased annually during the last weekend of September, providing the community with a space to remember and reflect on the sacrifices made by service members since the tragic events of 9/11.
Conway’s Mayor, Bart Castleberry, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to partner with Hearts of Our Heroes, emphasizing the importance of keeping the memories of those who gave their lives for their country alive. “We built Veterans Plaza to acknowledge the sacrifices and contributions of military personnel, ensuring they are not forgotten,” said Castleberry. “When combined with the Fallen Heroes Combat Boot Display, the space will help ensure that stories of bravery, sacrifice, and service continue to be shared for generations to come. We are so thankful for this partnership.”
The installation, which has grown over the years, is a striking and somber tribute to the men and women who have died in service to the United States since 9/11. It features nearly 700 pairs of combat boots, each pair symbolizing a fallen hero. Alongside each pair of boots is a photograph and the name of the individual it represents, offering a deeply personal connection to the lives lost in service to the nation. For visitors, this tribute is not just a statistic; it is a reminder of the faces, names, and stories of these brave individuals.
Andrea Fisher, the founder of Hearts of Our Heroes, expressed gratitude to the City of Conway for the opportunity to call Veterans Plaza at Pompe Park the permanent home of the Fallen Heroes Combat Boot Display. “We are thankful to the City of Conway for allowing Hearts of Our Heroes to set up and use the Veterans Plaza at Pompe Park for the annual Fallen Heroes Combat Boot Display,” said Fisher. “Veterans Plaza at Pompe Park provides a clean and accessible space for visitors to take the time to walk among the boots to read the names and see the pictures.”
Hearts of Our Heroes, a nonprofit organization based in Arkansas, has been dedicated to honoring fallen service members and their families since 2013. The organization has traveled to various locations around the state to display the combat boots, but now, thanks to this new partnership with the City of Conway, the display will have a permanent home. Fisher also expressed the importance of the display’s permanence in Conway. “We have set up the Fallen Heroes Combat Boot Display at other locations around the state, but we are happy to know we can call Conway home moving forward,” she added.
Hearts of Our Heroes is an inclusive 501(c)(3) organization that works to ensure the memories of fallen service members are preserved and that their families receive the support they need. Regardless of the branch of the military or the circumstances of a service member’s death, Hearts of Our Heroes is dedicated to keeping their legacy alive. The organization’s mission is simple but profound: to never forget the families who are left behind. For more information on Hearts of Our Heroes and to learn about the support they provide, visit their website at heartsofourheroes.org.
The Fallen Heroes Combat Boot Display is set to become a significant tradition in Conway. As each year passes, the display will grow and evolve, just as the memories of those it honors will remain eternally rooted in the hearts of those who visit. With Veterans Plaza now the permanent home of the display, it ensures that future generations will have the opportunity to pay their respects to the fallen heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The partnership between the City of Conway and Hearts of Our Heroes is a powerful reminder of the importance of honoring and remembering the men and women who have served and given their lives for the freedoms that so many hold dear.
