HOPEDALE UNITARIAN PARISH
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FIELD OF FLAGS

FIELD OF FLAGS

Our church hosted the Field of Flags for the month of September 2007.

The public was invited to view the flags on the front lawn of the church.

4,099 flags, representing each U.S. serviceperson who has sacrificed their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq, were displayed on our front lawn. The display began in 2006 when Joseph Girard, a military veteran, personally paid for more than 2,000 flags to be planted at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in North Grafton. The display has traveled to surrounding churches. Flags are added every day for each U.S. serviceperson killed.

The Field of Flags is NOT a political statement. It is a visible, silent, patriotic reminder of the sacrifice of our honored war dead. The public was invited to view the display and write a message in the Book of Condolences under the tent near our Peace Garden. Cards were available to write messages to the men and women still serving, that we have not forgotten them.

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Saturday September 22, 2007 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Reading names of all soldiers killed

All were invited to come and go throughout the day. All helped read names, light candles, pray and pay silent respects.

 

Sunday September 23, 2007 at 3:00 p.m.

Dedication Ceremony

Ceremony of Memory, Honor and Prayers for Peace

 

Sunday October 7, 2007 at 3:00 p.m.

Closing Ceremony

Handing flags to next location, Marine Corps Color Guard, Boys Scouts, Luanne Crosby (singing her song "Field of Flags), and more

 

PHOTOS: READING THE NAMES, SEPT. 22 2007

PHOTOS: DEDICATION CEREMONY, SEPT. 23 2007  

PHOTOS: CLOSING CEREMONY, OCT. 7, 2007

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