The Murrieta Field of Honor will be on display November 4-11 in Murrieta’s Town Square Park, allowing visitors to recognize their heroes in an awe-inspiring site with 2,023 full-sized American flags.
For the past 15 years, the Field has recognized heroes — those who served or are serving in the United States armed forces, law enforcement, fire and other first responder posts, and personal heroes. The Field also features sections for Medal of Honor recipients, Local Heroes (those from Riverside and San Bernardino counties, who have given their lives for this country since 2003), historical flags, a flag dedicated to those who perished in 9/11, state flags and a patriotic chalk walk.
The Field of Honor idea was initially brought to the City of Murrieta by a Murrieta Rotary group headed by Vietnam Veteran and Club President, Bob Bryant. Town Square Park was newly constructed and the perfect spot for the Field honoring heroes was next to the existing Veteran’s Memorial. Since then, the Murrieta Field of Honor has expanded to include additional displays and student field trips and has become a Signature Event for the City.
Today, the Field of Honor is brought to Murrieta as a community service by the Rotary Club of Murrieta in partnership with the City of Murrieta. In recent years, the New Generation Rotary Club of Temecula Valley, joined in presenting the Field. On Saturday, November 4, artists participating in the Al Vollbrecht Rotary Chalk Walk will create patriotic works of art on the park’s sidewalks.
“Murrieta Rotary and our partners are honored to present this spectacular event as a gift to our Southwest Riverside community,” said Rob Haskins, 2023-24 president of the club. “And we are especially thankful for our Field of Honor sponsors who not only make this event possible but also make it possible for Rotary to fund many significant projects throughout the year.”
The Field of Honor’s Organizing Committee is led by Past Murrieta Rotary president Lou Ellen Ficke and Jennifer Rasmussen, past president of the New Generation Club. The planning committee started meeting early this year.
Each American flag is three by five feet on an eight-foot pole and can be purchased for $35 at from the Murrieta Rotary Club, until Friday, Nov. 3 or by going to the Field of Honor during the week it is on display. Each sponsored flag is tagged with the name of the honoree and rank, service or other designation. Those who have flags from previous years that are in good condition can have them reposted for $10. Flag purchasers can pick up their flags on Saturday, Nov. 11, and from 9 a.m. until noon on Sunday, Nov. 12.
Proceeds from the 2023 Field of Honor will benefit community projects like the Club’s annual teacher grants, scholarships, and speech and music contests and more, all funded by the Rotary Club of Murrieta Foundation. Nonprofit groups affiliated with the Field of Honor who sell flags will receive $10 for each flag sold.
For a full list of Field of Honor events visit:
www.MurrietaRotaryClub.org/Murrieta-Field-Of-Honor
VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL DEDICATION
Murrieta Town Square Park is home to a unique veterans memorial that reflects the strong patriotism and respect for the military that is prevalent throughout the community.
A tall, granite obelisk stands proudly above a series of walls depicting dramatic and emotional imagery of men and women who have served and sacrificed in our nation’s defense. The City of Murrieta is proud to announce the dedication of the next wall in the series: the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Take a moment to pause and honor the unique significance of this memorial during your next visit to Town Square Park. Additionally, mark your calendar to attend the unveiling and dedication of the City’s new Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which will take place on Veterans Day, Saturday, November 11, 2023, shortly after the conclusion of the City’s annual Veterans Day Parade.
