Rhode Island honors sacrifices of those we lost on Memorial Day

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Monday, state and local leaders across southern New England are gathering to honor and remember those lost this Memorial Day.

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee has instructed his office to fly flags at half staff this morning until noon.

The governor is asking residents to do the same.

A Memorial Day tradition continues in Newport, where thousands of boots line Fort Adams in honor of those killed in action.

Operation Stand Down Rhode Island organized the display, with each of the 7,000 boots representing a U.S. service member who died in the line of duty post 9-11.

Each boot has a name placard and flag, allowing family, friends and veterans alike to return, year-after-year to pay their respects.

Admission is free and anyone who wishes to visit the display can do so from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday.