MEMORIES OF HONOR AWARDED A TENNESSEE AMERICA 250 GRANT FROM THE TENNESSEE COMMISSION FOR THE UNITED STATES SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL

GRANT WILL BE USED FOR THE BOOTS OF HONOR MEMORIAL DOCUMENTARY

FRANKLIN, Tenn. (March 11, 2026) – MEMORIES OF HONOR is a recipient of a $5,000 grant for Tennessee America 250 initiatives from the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial. 

The grant award will be used for a short documentary that captures and preserves the Boots of Honor Memorial and the public remembrance that takes place around it. The Boots of Honor Memorial is an annual, multi-day public installation that uses more than 7,000 combat boots—each representing a fallen U.S. service member by name. Each boot includes a hard card with a photograph and identifying information. To surviving families, the boots are sacred stand-ins for their loved ones. To the public, they make the human cost of war and the cost of freedom visible in a direct and unavoidable way.

The State of Tennessee made available funding to be administered by the Tennessee State Museum, on behalf of the Commission to support statewide America 250 activities.

The second round of the Tennessee America 250 grant program was a highly competitive process. In total, the Commission received 365 applications, totaling $6,364,017 in requests. The Commission has made full or partial awards for 194 grants across the state, representing 73 counties, for a total of $2,267,058 awarded. A complete list of second round Tennessee America 250 grantees, counties and amounts is posted at www.tn250.com.

“I am inspired by the excitement across the state to commemorate our nation’s 250th anniversary,” said Ashley Howell, Executive Director of the Tennessee State Museum and Chair of the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial. “This year will be filled with exhibitions, programs, festivals, and preservation of our local and state history. We hope that these projects inspire Tennesseans across the state to engage with the anniversary in 2026.”

“As a Blue Star Mom, I know first-hand that behind every pair of boots is a family whose life was forever changed,” says Amy Cotta, Founder and Executive Director of Memories of Honor. "This grant allows us to move beyond the physical installation and capture the heart of the Boots of Honor Memorial on film. We aren't just making a documentary; we are ensuring that the names and legacies of our fallen are etched into America’s and Tennessee’s history for the next 250 years and beyond,” 

The Tennessee America 250 Project Support Grants and Community Support Grants had maximum request amounts of $20,000 and $25,000, respectively. All projects funded in the second round must be completed by April 30, 2027.

About Memories of Honor
Memories of Honor is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring our fallen service members and supporting their surviving families. Founded by Blue Star USMC Mother Amy Cotta, the organization creates living memorials through interactive installations, athletic events, and community engagement. Its flagship project, the Boots of Honor Memorial, features more than 7,000 combat boots—each representing a fallen U.S. service member—to ensure that no sacrifice is forgotten and that the "human cost of freedom" remains visible to all. For more information, visit www.memoriesofhonor.org.

About Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial
The Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial was legislatively established by Public Chapter 384 of the Tennessee General Assembly in 2019. The Assembly created the Commission to plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, and recognize Tennessee's integral role in that event and the impact of its people on the nation's past, present, and future. For more information on Commission activities, please visit www.tn250.com.

About Tennessee State Museum
Celebrating its 88th Anniversary in 2025, the Tennessee State Museum, is the administrative attachment of the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial. The Museum is located on the corner of Rosa L Parks Blvd. and Jefferson Street at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. It is home to thousands of years of Tennessee history, art, and culture. The Museum is free and open to the public Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. For more information on exhibitions and events, please visit TNMuseum.org.