Opening Day ceremonies for the 2016 Field of Honor, presented by the Murrieta Rotary Club will be November 5 and will feature a new attraction: the popular 5k “Run Forrest” Run presented by the Gary Sinise Foundation. Already people are queuing up to be a part of this fresh, new event. The Field of Honor is a week-long, awe-inspiring, emotional presentation of a field of American flags that honor our heroes. The week-long is scheduled for November 5-12.
“The Run Forrest Run will be a 5K starting and ending at Town Square Park,” said race Chairman, Jim Yanoschik. “The run / walk will be flat, fast and friendly. There will be aid stations, a great goodie bag, and lots of entertainment before and after the event. There will be online registration as well as day of race registration. We are partnering with Gemini Next Timing for race registration and timing.”
The mission of the Gary Sinise Foundation (www.GarySiniseFoundation.org) is: “At the Gary Sinise Foundation, we serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need. We do this by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities.
Along with the 5k run, is another FOH first, the Military Resource and Services Expo hosted by the Women’s Council of Realtors of Southwest Riverside County. Two years ago the council put on this event at Temecula City Hall, and this one is similar, according to Dee Fether, the 2016 President of the Council. This year, they are teaming up with Murrieta Rotary and with the 5k run, to put the expo in a more public venue and will promote it via radio, social media and print.
“We want to have at least 40 vendors,” said Dee, “and hopefully more. Each vendor will have to somehow offer a service or resource—either free or heavily discounted—for current military and veterans and their families.” Vendors can also promote activities geared for children like balloons and cookie decorating, writing Christmas cards, art work, and other items they can send abroad to service people. It is free to be a vendor; please call Dee Fether 714-907-7207, or send email to hularealtordee@gmail.com. “We will make sure there are free hot dogs, beverages, and popcorn for everyone!” she said. The Women’s Council is a network of successful realtors advancing women as professionals and leaders in business, the industry and the communities we serve.
Another note of interest is the enthusiastic interest by Paul Mitchell Salons who will be doing a “cut-a-thon” to help raise money for the Gary Sinise Foundation. Courtney Davie, the Culture Specialist at the Temecula Paul Mitchell School said, “Paul Mitchell is all about giving back to the community that gives us our business and livelihood. In fact, part of our curriculum is to go out and find opportunities to serve our community.” The school will bring about 50 students, who can usually handle one client every 20 minutes. Hair styling and basic haircuts will be offered for $5 and $10 respectively.
Also partnering with the Field of Honor is the WCC Charities. Wholesale Capital Corporation started this philanthropic arm in 1992 to help fund worthy causes, like the Gary Sinise Foundation and wounded military personnel. This is the first year they will participate in the Field of Honor. Ed Hoffman, President of Wholesale Capital Corporation said, “The proceeds go straight to the Gary Sinise Foundation, which does incredible work for wounded veterans; one of them is our friend Andrew Bottrell, who is a triple-amputee. The foundation is working with us to retrofit Andrew’s home in San Diego so that it will be a smart home, automated for the needs of a triple amputee.”
Plan now to attend the Field of Honor November 5-12, and especially Opening Day Ceremonies on November 5, starting at 7:00 am. For more information, please call Frank Donahoe at 951-704-3622 or see www.murrietafieldofhonor.com. We’re on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ murrietafieldofhonor.
The Field of Honor is presented by the Murrieta Rotary Club in conjunction with the City of Murrieta, which has designated it a Signature Event.
