These images are from the 2023 BOOTS Memorial at the Vineland High School. The field was covered with military combat boots representing all those of Atlantic County who served in the military and are now deceased. It is a remembrance ceremony honoring the fallen and their service to our country.
The Last Salute “Prayer Box” holds nearly one thousand photos and prayer cards which were placed into it by devoted and heartbroken family members on the day of their loved ones funeral. It is one of the most moving elements of the honors ceremony. Families are touched and inspired by our commitment to “always remember and always honor” their loved one.
This is not a promise we take lightly. The members of Last Salute carry the fallen in the Prayer Box everywhere we go. They were with us in Arlington National Cemetery at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier when we conducted a ceremony there, flown by Blackhawk helicopter from Fort Dix to Vineland for the renaming of the middle school after the first Army Ranger to die in the Blackhawk Down battle, honored aboard the Battleship New Jersey, carried through the gas chamber, obstacle course, crucible and on the rifle range aboard Parris Island and now, carried for 21 miles in a military back pack by Last Salute members in full military gear by foot on Memorial Day.
The march was long and arduous but if it was not, it would not have been meaningful.
We were honored to carry these heroes for 21 miles.
