Murrieta Rotary Club presents 7th annual event
More than 2,000 flags will wave in silent tribute to heroes in the Murrieta Rotary Club’s seventh annual Field of Honor, set to open November 8 in Murrieta Town Square Park.
The Field of Honor, the brain-child of Bob Bryant and Frank Donahoe, is a visually stunning, emotion-filled event that continues all week November 8 through 14. It incorporates the popular Chalk Walk, where local artists present their work in pastels; Opening Ceremonies that honor local first responders; a luncheon for veterans (by invitation only); the City’s Veteran’s Day Parade; Marine Corp Birthday celebration; a Candlelight Ceremony and Concert; and thousands of fifth-grade children who are brought in to explore the stations surrounding the field: the Medal of Honor, Official United States Flags, Local Heroes, and the War Obelisk.
The Patriots Chalk Walk returns for its fourth year, bringing in an estimated two dozen talented chalk artists for the week-long exhibition of their plein air creations.
While some of the artists make their living from the trade, most create their paintings for a love of the medium. Once the Field of Honor is over, the art is washed away. Artists will be painting Nov. 8 & 9, and their creations will be on display all week. Prizes will be awarded to the artist whose work best represents the theme. The best work by a young artist also will be rewarded. The artists will name their favorite, and the viewing public will select the people’s choice. There is no entry fee, but advance registration is required by Oct. 28, 2014.
Opening Ceremonies for the Field begin Sunday the 8th at 1:00 and will include the presentation of our nation’s colors, an honor guard, welcome from FOH officials and key political representatives, and presentations from some of our local first responders.
On Monday, the Murrieta Rotary Club will hold its regular meeting at the Field and include lunch by invitation to veterans and first responders. This is when many people get their first view of the Field in all its glory, with thousands of flags quietly floating in the ubiquitous valley breezes.
Three special sections will be part of the Field:
- The Local Heroes field honors the more than 100 men and women from the region who have died in the line of duty fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2004.
- Another section recognizes Californians who have received the Medal of Honor
- In addition the 27 versions of the stars and stripes that have officially flown over the country since the first one was authorized by Congress in 1777, also are displayed along with a half dozen other familiar flags in the country’s past that were never approved.
The Field will be open and staffed with volunteers every day from 9 am to 5 pm. The Field of Honor is a fund-raiser for the Murrieta Rotary Club. The club sells flags to anyone who would like to honor a hero by flying their flag in the field. The week’s events culminate in the Patriots Ball, held in a huge white tent next to the Field. Tickets to the Ball are available to those who would like to attend—which is another way the club raises funds to support the work it does in the community. Proceeds from the events also help support the city’s Veterans Memorial Project in Town Square.
For more information, please visit the website, MurrietaFieldOfHonor.com, call Frank Donahoe at 951-704-3622 or email: frankdonahoe@ymail.com.
Feature photo: Jann Gentry
