By DENISE R. FREELAND
News Leader Staff Writer
A Field of Honor, consisting of a display of potentially thousands of three- by five-foot American flags standing eight feet tall in perfect rows and columns, is currently being planned for Monday, June 14, through Sunday, June 20, in Minerva.
A Field of Honor, which is free and open to the public, provides a venue to celebrate life and patriotism, according to Roger Bartley, project chair, who decided to undertake the project as a way to mark the 160th anniversary of Bartley Funeral Home.
"It is a patriotic salute to heroes, our rich American history, Scouts, veterans, our local first responders, our families, and those people who have been important to us throughout our lives," he said, noting that he envisions the event encompassing individuals and organizations from the tri-county area.
The Field of Honor will be held in conjunction with the Minerva Homecoming, June 16-19, and both will share the theme "A Celebration of Freedom."
Special programming will be planned in conjunction with the flag display, with each day's activities being focused on a specific topic. Monday, June 14, will feature opening ceremonies, a flag-retirement ceremony, and other programs conducted by the Don V. Cross Post 357 of the American Legion.
Tuesday's theme will be "Honoring the Boy Scouts of America's 100th Birthday;" Wednesday's will be "A Celebration of Freedom;" Thursday's will be "Honoring Veterans;" Friday's will be "Honoring our Servicemen;" Saturday's will be "Honoring our Families;" and Sunday's will be "Honoring our Religious Heritage," with a church service on the field and a closing concert.
Individuals or organizations are needed to plan programs for each day, Bartley said.
Volunteers are also needed to fill the following positions: Flag sponsorship chair--tracks all flag presales, organizes and monitors fundraising; volunteer chair--provides volunteers for activities on the field; information booth chair; and field coordinator chair--takes care of field before, during and after the event.
The display is currently planned for the field next to Grace Chapel on Ellsworth Drive; however, as the number of flags grows, the location may change, said Bartley, who has donated the first 160 flags and has set a goal of more than 2,000.
A group of interested community members, meeting Feb. 2 at Minerva Public Library, discussed possible alternate locations, including the fields next to East Lawn Cemetery or in front of PCC.
Chris Cupples, of U.S. Rep. John Boccieri's staff, has agreed to work with the organizers to try to secure the involvement of an active-duty unit, a performance by a military band, a flyover, sponsorship of some flags, and an appearance by Boccieri.
The Field of Honor concept was created by the Colonial Flag Foundation in 2002 and displays have been held in communities across the nation in the years since.
Fields of Honor are funded by flag sales and corporate sponsors, and all proceeds are donated to local charities. Proceeds from Minerva's event will go to the Minerva Area Community Charitable Trust or to organizations selling flags, which will be purchased from Colonial Flag Foundation.
Individual flags, with a certificate of dedication, can be purchased for $30, or $35, if the sponsor would like for the flag to be shipped to someone after the display. Flags can currently be purchased through the Mostly Minerva Memory Center, 201 W Lincoln Way, by calling 330-868-6230, or at www.healingfield.org.
Sponsorship levels are available from $100 to $10,000.
The next planning meeting will be held Thursday, March 4, 6:30 p.m., in the Minerva Public Library Community Room.
For more information and to see photos of other fields, see www.healingfield.org.