A Field of Flags to Honor Veterans

By TYRA LUDVIGSON

The Progress

Fifty thousand stars and 13,000 stripes adorned the Mesquite Rec Center west field last week with the annual One Thousand Flags Over Mesquite event hosted by the Exchange Club of Mesquite. To honor veterans each year, the club installs 1,000 full-sized American flags during the week of Veteran’s day.

This patriotic event started 16 years ago. It was inspired by Healing Fields from around the country. Dr Peggy Perner brought the idea to the Exchange Club of Mesquite, and they eagerly took on the task of replicating a special moment like this annually in honor of veterans.

The 1,000 flags serve as a Field of Honor. The Exchange Club invited all members of the community to “visit the field – once or often. The sense of patriotism you will feel cannot be described.”

The American flags are arranged in a 30 x 33 grid. This adds up to a total of 990, just shy of the 1,000 mark. To make an even thousand, and of course to honor those in service, an additional ten flags are placed at the front.

These ten flags are dedicated to a special group each year. In 2019, the first ten flags were dedicated to the victims of the Mandalay Bay shooting in Las Vegas. Last year, the flags were dedicated to veterans of the Korean War. This year, the Club chose to honor the veterans of the Vietnam War. A ribbon tied around the poles reads: “Vietnam War Veterans. YOU are not forgotten!”

Exchange Club President Paul Benedict said that the club chose to honor Vietnam vets because “it was time for them, especially while they’re still alive.”

Along with the first ten flags being dedicated, community members were able to purchase a flag to honor a loved one, themselves, or a great friend. The flags were $35 and included a purple ribbon to tie around the pole.

The purple ribbon is a color of revering and reverence. Each purchaser of purple ribbons had the option to include information of the veteran to be honored. Tags were filled with “Vietnam Vet,” “WWII Vet,” and “Korean War Vet.” Many listed the name of the person and their branch of military. The purple ribbon-dedicated flags represented all branches of the military.

One of the flags was dedicated to a veteran named Carl “Mike” Edmons. Edmons was awarded the Award of the Army Commendation Medal for Heroism. While serving in Vietnam in 1970, Edmon crawled 30 feet under enemy fire to rescue a wounded soldier. He dragged his comrade back and helped to carry him to an evacuation helicopter 75 meters away.

Edmons story of heroism did not stand alone on the field. The 1,000 American flags are flown to commemorate the patriotism and bravery of each and every veteran.

Along with dedications, the Exchange Club of Mesquite hosted two ceremonies: Friday night (on Veteran’s Day) and a closing ceremony held on Sunday afternoon. The ceremonies were both beautiful and reverent.

At the Veterans Day Ceremony, Mesquite Veterans Honor Guard presented the Colors. The crowd then participated in a prayer and recited the Pledge of Alliance. Janet McDonald, United States Air Force Lieutenent Colonel, graced the attendees with a lovely singing of the National Anthem. Vietnam veteran and Mesquite Mayor Al Litman, addressed the crowd.

Following his address, volunteers were encouraged to walk among the flags. “Walk among this Field of Honor day or night this week,” Benedict said. “Listen with your heart to the silent stories told by the souls these Flags honor.”

The closing ceremony was equally poignant. The Desert Half Notes graced the audience with an American Medley. Mesquite Fire and Rescue performed a dignified Flag Retirement Ceremony. The ceremony closed the event with a gorgeous rendition of “Amazing Grace”, played on the bagpipes by Exchange Club of Mesquite member, Dennis Hangey.

Benedict expressed gratitude to the many volunteers that supported the event. The flags were under 24-hour a day watch by volunteers throughout the week. Benedict also thanked Department of Athletics and Leisure Services Director Nicholas Montoya and the City of Mesquite for their support.
“And of course, we would also like to extended an enormous thank you to all Veterans!” Benedict concluded.