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Who Has Their Boots On - June 2011

Posted On Monday, June 13, 2011

Bates Footwear® Partners with The Boot Campaign to Support Troops

Posted On Monday, May 02, 2011

Rockford, MI (April 2011) Bates Footwear has partnered to join the fast-paced grassroots movement, The Boot Campaign. Originated by five women from Texas who call themselves “The Boot Girls”, The Boot Campaign provides a tangible way for Americans to show support of our troops and directly benefit our military through purchases of boots and other merchandise. 

The Boot Girls are on their way to achieve one mission; to see one million Americans in a pair of Boot Campaign “give back” boots.  Their motto is simple; “When They Come Back, We Give Back”. To help them achieve this mission, Bates has provided a lineup of boot styles for the Boot Campaign.  The Bates boots available to purchase online include Army boots, a Navy SEALs boot, USMC styles and an Air Force style. Proceeds from purchasing signature boots from the Boot Campaign are donated to their charity partners including the Lone Survivor Foundation, Not Alone, Wounded Wear, and Military Warriors Support Foundation.

A driving factor in the success of The Boot Campaign has been the wide support from music, sports and political influences signing up to show their patronage. Celebrities range from country music stars Joe Nichols and Dolly Parton to TV and radio host Glenn Beck. Sports and Political figures such as The Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Cubs and the Governor of Texas, Rick Perry have been spotted wearing the military fashioned boots to show their support. 

Bates is humbled by the opportunity to give back to the men and women that so proudly serve to protect their country. As Ron Woznick, VicePresident & General Manager for Bates, said; “Bates has the honor of providing footwear to thousands of warfighters each year that selflessly protect our country. Their sacrifices and commitment are simply amazing.  We are privileged to begin working more closely with the Boot Campaign, who has done a phenomenal job of drawing attention and supporting our military heroes.” 

For additional information or to show your support, visit www.bootcampaign.com.

About The Boot Campaign

The Boot Campaign is a grassroots initiative started by 5 women from Texas known as the Boot Girls. They provide an easy and tangible way for Americans to show support of our troops (both past and present) that’s practical and directly benefits our military. Proceeds from boot sales are donated to partner charities, which assist returning veterans dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and varying degrees of physical injuries. For more information or to lend your support, visit www.bootcampaign.com.

About Bates Footwear

Founded in 1885 as a dress shoe manufacturer, today Bates® Footwear has become one of the most popular and preferred footwear brands in the US military and civilian uniformed law enforcement communities. The Bates brand is represented at each of highly respected military academies and in some of most selective and prestigious uniformed communities within the US: Tomb of Unknown Soldiers in Arlington National cemetery; Old Guard in Washington DC; in addition to many Special Forces communities. The brand has emerged as the market leader with its singular focus on providing innovative and athletic footwear of the highest quality available. For more information, visit www.batesfootwear.com.

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Country Music Star, Granger Smith, is "Sleeping on the Interstate"

Posted On Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Granger Smith is 'Sleeping On the Interstate'

Texas Country Hitmaker to Trek From Austin to Ft. Hood for the Troops

Austin, Texas --  Texas Country hitmaker Granger Smith will literally be 'Sleeping On the Interstate' when he walks 100 miles in combat boots from South Austin to the Ft. Hood military post in Killeen, as a means to show support for the troops on the front lines, those at home, and those remembered.

Smith and his crew will go foot-for-foot starting Easter Sunday, April 24, beginning a trek from the 'Y' in Oak Hil where the U.S. 290 and SH 71 highways intersect, and walking until they reach Ft. Hood on April 28. That same day, Smith will perform an intimate acoustic concert open to all soldiers, families, and civilians at 5  p.m. at Killeen's Legends Pub.

"They say you can't understand a soldier until you walk a mile in their shoes, so I decided to walk 100 miles in their boots," Smith says of the idea. He adds, "It's a small sacrifice on me to symbolize the ultimate sacrifice they make for us and our way of life everyday.  It's our American duty as civilians to outwardly show our patriotism and our appreciation for our freedom fighters.  The Boot Campaign is built on that purpose and so is this journey.  For that reason I encourage anyone in the area to come and join us; even just for part of the trek.  Let's not just stand up for our military, let's move miles for them."

The Boot Campaign will provide the singer with a pair of Bates combat boots, just like the soldiers wear, which he will sport along his route as an additional nod to the hardworking military. The Boot Campaign -- which boasts "an easy and tangible way for Americans to show support of our troops (both past and present) that’s practical and directly benefits our military" -- gives 100% of its proceeds to charities who assist vets dealing with PTSD and physical injuries. 

This is not the first time that Smith has stepped to the forefront for the military -- the Corps-of-Cadets-member-turned-Texas-country-staple has taken three tours overseas to Kuwait and Iraq to play special shows for the troops stationed there.

Shiner Beers, Killeen's Freedom Jeep Chrysler and Dodge Country will back the event as sponsors. Likewise, KVET's Chris Mosser, Katie Key of Best in Texas Magazine and the Texas Music Chart  -- as well as the mayors of the surrounding communities and many of Smith's peers in Texas music -- are showing utmost encouragement for the singer's venture.

'Sleeping on the Interstate' will act as the premiere single from Granger Smith's forthcoming album, following an impressive list of previous hits. In 2008, Smith debuted 'Colorblind,' which marched right into the top Top 10. When his 2009 album, 'Don't Listen to the Radio,' dropped, so did five more chart topping hits -- including the title track, 'Gypsy Rain,' 'I Almost Am,' '5 More Minutes,' and 'Superstitious 17.' Now, Smith is back with a fresh from-the-heart record, 'Poets & Prisoners,' which impacts April 12.