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Exchange Club Holds 13th Annual 1000 Flags Event

By WESLIE STRATTON

Moapa Valley Progress

One Thousand Flags Over Mesquite honored local veterans with an emphasis this year on those who served in the Korean War. PHOTO BY WESLIE STRATTON/Moapa Valley Progress.

The Exchange Club of Mesquite facilitated the 13th annual One Thousand Flags Over Mesquite event last week from November 4-11.

As the name suggests, 1,000 American flags were set up on the field of the Mesquite Recreation Center to honor United States veterans. According to coordinator Sandra Edmonds the tradition has turned into a community-wide labor of love.

“We couldn’t do this without the community,” Edmond said. “When we put (the flags) up, so much of the community shows up that the field is usually up in a couple of hours. That’s a testament to the number of people who showed up.”

Edmonds said that the event started as part of the 9/11 Healing Field that was taking place across the nation. “And then we slowly evolved into deciding that we would run it during the week of Veteran’s Day,” she said. “It’s a public way of saying ‘thank you’ to those who have served.”

The event doubles as a benefit for the Exchange Club of Mesquite. Community members are invited to sponsor a flag for $35 and dedicate it to any veteran they choose. Each flag sponsor is given a purple ribbon that they tie to a designated flag along with a picture and description of their chosen veteran.
“If, at the end of the event they want to take the flag, they’re welcome to do that,” Edmonds explained. “And if not, they can donate it back to the Exchange Club for the following year.”

The event averages around 70 sponsors annually.
Each year the Exchange Club highlights a specific war or event to honor. Last year, victims of the Las Vegas shooting on October 1, 2017 were the focus while the year prior spotlighted veteran women.
“This year we’re honoring all veterans, but we’re paying attention to the Korean War veterans,” Edmonds said. “We have several here in Mesquite who are Korean War Veterans.”

The field full of patriotic colors generates a sense of respect and awe to those who visit, and Edmonds said the flags are never left unattended. “Because of what those flags represent we never leave them alone,” she said. “There are always two people sitting here, day or night.”

The event ended with a special Veterans Day program on Sunday, November 11.
“We usually have a Veteran’s Day Ceremony and a Closing Day Ceremony, but this year Veterans Day is on the last day,” Edmonds said. “So we’re going to wrap it all into one and have a closing Veterans Day ceremony. But it’s really rather moving.”

The ceremony included participation from local veterans, Mesquite Mayor Allan Litman, the Veterans Honor Guard, Mesquite Fire and Rescue, and more.
“At the end of the event, most of the people in those bleachers will stay and help us take the flags down,” Edmonds said. “It’s a community event. We could not do it without them.”

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