One of the boots that part of the Footsteps of Freedom art installation, which opened Monday, April 1, 2024, at Walter Reed. (Bernard Little/Walter Reed National Military Medical Center)

Combat boots of a different color will honor service members and their families in a permanent art installation at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Naval Support Activity Bethesda.

Footsteps to Freedom, which features more than 20 artistically redesigned boots worn in combat in Afghanistan and other war zones, opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the hospital on Monday. The exhibit, the brainchild of Amy Zambrano and Winnie Pritchett, will be housed in the hospital’s Tranquility Hall atrium.

U.S. Navy Capt. (Dr.) Melissa Austin, WRNMMC director, joined other dignitaries, including veterans who served in Afghanistan, family members of service members who lost their lives in the war, and founders and sponsors of the exhibit, to cut the ribbon. The exhibit is “a tribute to the healing journey, and strength born of unity and support,” Austin said at the ribbon-cutting.

“I’ve been watching these boots materialize throughout the hospital over the last couple of months, and to see it come together in a single installation is absolutely amazing,” Austin said.

One of the boots in the Footsteps to Freedom art installation currently on exhibit at Walter Reed. (Bernard Little/Walter Reed National Military Medical Center)

Zambrano and Pritchett worked with government officials and other charitable sponsors to create the display. About 15 years ago, the two started providing iPads to wounded warriors recovering at Walter Reed, eventually supplying more than 13,000 devices through donations from the community and others.

In 2014, Zambrano saw a painted cowboy boot while in North Carolina and was inspired to create the combat boot exhibit. She reached out to the service members she had met at Walter Reed, asking them to donate their boots. Many responded, often including notes and dog tags with the boots.

“By bringing together the creative talents of different artists, from famous artists such as Shepard Fairey and Romero Britto, to tattoo artists and art teachers, and drawing attention to the sacrifices made by soldiers, this project is a powerful and enduring way to pay tribute to the fallen, express gratitude, and raise awareness about the importance of freedom and patriotism, and honoring the sacrifices of our heroes,” Zambrano told Islander News in Key Biscayne, Fla., in an interview in August.

Retired Army Master Sgt. Cedric King, wounded during his second tour in Afghanistan on July 25, 2012, served as guest speaker for the ceremony celebrating the opening of the art installation Footsteps to Freedom at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Monday, April 1, 2024. (Bernard Little/Walter Reed National Military Medical Center)

Retired Army Master Sgt. Cedric King, who lost both his legs and sustained permanent damage to his right arm and hand when he was hit by an improvised explosive device during his second tour in Afghanistan in 2012, served as guest speaker for the ceremony. King went on to complete 23 full marathons, including in Chicago, Boston, New York City and Berlin.

“If life has knocked you down, there are people waiting on you to see if you quit or keep marching,” King said at the ceremony. “So many people are counting on you to keep moving because they want to keep moving, too. Keep marching. Keep smiling. Keep encouraging others.”