Combat boot collection to help pay tribute to veterans

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Aja Heiden
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  Members from Homestead Air Reserve Base are helping support a local not-for-profit organization by collecting combat boots from July 28 to Aug. 30.

A local not-for-profit organization called iPads for Soldiers is collecting used combat boots, many of which will be used in a Miami art museum this December. The boots will be painted by artists from all over the U.S. and used in the creation of an art installation which honors and pays tribute to military heroes.

"We feel that the support of our troops is the responsibility of every American, and hope that people will continue to help us help them," said Amy Zambrano, Co-Founder of iPads for Soldiers.

iPads For Soldiers provides iPads to wounded warriors in military hospitals and military members serving in Afghanistan. They have given over 4,200 iPads to military members to allow them to communicate with family around the world.

"We were able to donate an iPad to a Marine in Afghanistan so he could witness the birth of his child using iPad FaceTime. The iPad has also aided in the recovery of countless military men and women at Walter Reed Military Hospital," said Zambrano

The base is scheduled to participate in this event by collecting combat boots to raise awareness.

"Collection boxes will be located in all group buildings, including buildings 360, 191, 181, 70th Aerial Port Squadron, and 482nd Civil Engineering Squadron. We will also try to have drop off boxes at tenant units," said Master Sgt. Julie Tinsley, training manager for the 482nd Maintenance Group.

Boots not used in the art installation are slated to be used in a walk-a-thon.

"We are hosting a huge community walk called 'Walk a Mile in their Boots'. Teams will register to walk and each team will be able to utilize a pair of war-torn combat boots to do the walk in," said Zambrano. "There will be non-stop entertainment, vendors of all kinds, and military-themed experiential events set up."

The walking event will be held at Key Biscayne on Sunday, Nov. 9, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Village Green.

For more information on iPads for Solders visit: www.ipadsforsoldiers.org.

To participate in the boot collection drive on base, contact Master Sgt. Julie Tinsley at 786-415-7264 or through email at julie.tinsley.2@us.af.mil.