The Boot

Many people don't know this:
In 1996, schoolchildren touring Washington, D.C. were asked what Memorial Day meant to them. Their answer: "That's the day the pools open."
That moment sparked something. In December 2000, Congress passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act, designating 3:00 PM local time on Memorial Day as a national minute of silence for those who died in service.
3 PM was chosen on purpose... it's when most of us are mid-cookout, mid-road trip, mid-pool day. The whole point was to reach people right where they are.
Wherever you are at 3:00 today, stop. One minute of silence. For the ones who never made it home.
They gave everything. We can give 60 seconds on Memorial Day in their honor.

🎖️ Proud to have stood alongside LDVA and Secretary Meginley as we accepted this recognition together on behalf of Louisiana.

At The Boot, we focus on the whole family because transition doesn’t happen in isolation. When military spouses find meaningful careers and community, it directly strengthens the service member’s transition too. Strong families build strong veterans.

Congratulations, Louisiana. This one belongs to all of us. 🌟🇺🇸

2026 Military Spouse Community Leader Impact Award: The Boot Presented to a community and its leaders for their efforts to creat...

Shreveport-Bossier has officially been named a 2026 Great American Defense Community — one of only THREE communities in the entire country to receive this honor!

This recognition belongs to every neighbor, business, volunteer, and civic leader who has shown up for the Airmen of Barksdale Air Force Base and their families. Nearly a century of partnership, and it shows.

Watch the announcement and read what makes our region so special:

Shreveport-Bossier Earns National Spotlight as a 2026 Great American Defense Community Louisiana gives veterans modern VA facilities, a clinic network that actually covers the state, and telehealth that cuts the long-drive burden. Add in strong community partners—LDVA, Vet Centers, DAV—and you get smoother hand-offs and real support for families. Stack that with Louisiana’s vete...

"Louisiana is a place with strong communities, deep values, and a culture that makes me proud to call it home." — Robert Galey, Army Airborne Infantry, PLACED

Robert's story is one of 71 from this season. Between February and April, we placed 71 service members across Louisiana, hosted 4 MilVet Connect events with 60+ attendees, and sponsored 3 crawfish boils at Fort Polk and Barksdale AFB that fed more than 1,000 service members.

This is 'Your Life, Our Mission' in action.

The Boot would like to make the official announcement that Jason F. Emert is joining our Board of Directors. 👏👏👏

Jason F. Emert is Special Counsel at Jones Walker LLP and a judge advocate in the U.S. Air Force currently serving as the State Defense Counsel in the Louisiana Air National Guard.

Additionally, he is a co-founder of the Alliance for Global Security, non-profit focused on strengthening state and local governments from security malign global threats. Early in his career he led a global organization advocating free tree trade, the rule of law, and democracy. As such, Jason has served as a legal specialist for the ABA Rule of Law Initiative in Bosnia; as an arbitrator for the American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo’s Arbitration Center; and as chair of the International Law Committee of the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division.

Well versed in domestic and international election law, Jason has served on multiple election-observation teams in countries across Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Jason has been recognized by regional, national, and international organizations for his strong leadership and commitment to public service. Locally, Jason has been recognized as 20 under 40 in Acadiana (2015) and is currently a member of Leadership Lafayette Class # # .

Additionally, Jason has been named a “Future Leader in Foreign Policy” by the Foreign Policy Initiative; awarded a Warsaw Security Forum New Security Leader fellowship; selected to participate in the American Swiss Foundation Young Leaders Conference; selected for two prestigious American Council of Young Political Leaders international exchange programs to Russia and Mexico; and was a part of the Atlantic Council’s Millennium Leadership Intensive Program in Israel.

Welcome Jason!!

Jambalaya Girl’s on-the-go packs make the perfect event giveaway for our service members!
Partnerships with local brands help us spread a little cajun love everywhere we go ❤️⚜️ 🍲

(Supporting Louisiana brands one undercover jambalaya taste tester operation at a time.)

We love when we not only get support and praise for our work from the social media post, but ALSO in the comments!! ❤️

Thank you to Charles “Nick” Sibus and Jeremy Hilton for the kind words and for championing the excellent work from Boot team members like Hannah Carey in North Louisiana. 👏👏👏

Onward and upward, Louisiana is on the move! 🫡🇺🇸💪

Governor Jeff Landry | Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs | Louisiana Economic Development | Louisiana Association of Business and Industry - LABI | Louisiana Travel Association | Charlton J. Meginley

We’re ready for a big week in the Big Easy ⚜️

There’s nothing like showing off New Orleans. The culture, the community, and the real opportunities waiting here for service members and military spouses as they step into their next chapter.

We could not do it without the partners who help make it all happen. Because of you, we get to open doors and create what’s next.

NOLA, see y'all soon!

🚨 New Orleans Employers — We need you.

Right now, talented, highly skilled military professionals are transitioning into the New Orleans community—and they’re ready to work.

Join The Boot’s Employer Luncheon & Hiring Fair to connect directly with 20+ service members actively seeking their next opportunity.

🗓 Friday, May 1
⏰ 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
📍 Arbor Room at Popp Fountain (New Orleans City Park)

Your involvement makes a real impact—on careers, on families, and on our local workforce.

👉 Sign up for a table today: https://hubs.ly/Q049XKVm0