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The Field of Heroes is a unique experience for people in Central Ohio. Over three thousand flags stand in perfect formation to honor heroes in the community. Now, as you would expect, most of those flag represent veterans from various wars. But, sponsors of individual flags are free to honor any hero in their lives, which includes parents, veterans, teachers, police officers, firefighters or anyone else who has made a positive impact on someone's life. It's an amazing opportunity to say thank you. And, as you stroll among the red, white and blue, individual flags are tagged with the name of the honored hero. Sometime, photos and short biographies are also included.
It was World War I that was called "the war to end all wars". It seems that we didn't quite get that one right. And, after the Second Battle of Ypres, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian physician and poet, penned the poem In Flanders Fields. The words written so long ago, in 1915, still carry a somber message today. And part of the poem, surrounded by red poppies, was the first thing I saw before strolling the flags.
.......In Flanders fields the poppies blow
.......Between the crosses, row on row,
.......That mark our place; and in the sky
.......The larks, still bravely singing, fly
.......Scarce heard amid the guns below.
.......We are the Dead. Short days ago
.......We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
.......Loved and were loved, and now we lie
.......in Flanders fields.
.......Take up our quarrel with the foe:
.......to you from failing hands we throw
.......The torch; be yours to hold it high.
.......If ye break faith with us who die
.......We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
.......in Flanders fields.
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I missed a lot of Memorial Days while living overseas for twenty years. And, I am well aware that the sacrifices made by so many people to protect our freedoms should never be taken for granted. So, when I learned about the Field of Heroes, sponsored by the Westerville Sunrise Rotary Club just a little ways from my home, I had to visit. I discovered a tradition that should be replicated across the USA.
The Field of Heroes is a unique experience for people in Central Ohio. Over three thousand flags stand in perfect formation to honor heroes in the community. Now, as you would expect, most of those flag represent veterans from various wars. But, sponsors of individual flags are free to honor any hero in their lives, which includes parents, veterans, teachers, police officers, firefighters or anyone else who has made a positive impact on someone's life. It's an amazing opportunity to say thank you. And, as you stroll among the red, white and blue, individual flags are tagged with the name of the honored hero. Sometime, photos and short biographies are also included.
It was World War I that was called "the war to end all wars". It seems that we didn't quite get that one right. And, after the Second Battle of Ypres, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian physician and poet, penned the poem In Flanders Fields. The words written so long ago, in 1915, still carry a somber message today. And part of the poem, surrounded by red poppies, was the first thing I saw before strolling the flags.
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.......In Flanders fields the poppies blow.......Between the crosses, row on row,
.......That mark our place; and in the sky
.......The larks, still bravely singing, fly
.......Scarce heard amid the guns below.
.......We are the Dead. Short days ago
.......We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
.......Loved and were loved, and now we lie
.......in Flanders fields.
.......Take up our quarrel with the foe:
.......to you from failing hands we throw
.......The torch; be yours to hold it high.
.......If ye break faith with us who die
.......We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
.......in Flanders fields.
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I read the poem; I couldn't read all the biographies, but I stopped to read one very special card. The veteran of World War II was part of the Normandy Invasion, who survived the beaches only to become a prisoner of war. He lived to a ripe old 94 years of age and only died a few months ago. He would have had stories to tell.
There are people in my own family who have been to war. I never asked them their stories and today I feel that loss. You have to gather that family history while they are still with us. After the funeral, it's just too late. I know that one of my uncles served in Korea. The only thing that my mother ever told me was that he could hear or feel the North Koreans digging tunnels underneath him.
My father served in the navy during World War II. He never mentioned anything about it. But, there is still a bit of a love story to be told. One of my mother's friends once wrote her a letter. He told her that he'd found the perfect guy for my mom. How often does something like that work out? They met up at college. Mom said that their first date was at the college library where he read her poetry. I would never have had a second date if someone tried that on me, but it worked for my mother.
So, my suggestion on this Memorial Day is to stop and remember. Say thank you if at all possible. And, if you can, gather a story or two that you can pass along. Do it before the memories are lost forever.
There are people in my own family who have been to war. I never asked them their stories and today I feel that loss. You have to gather that family history while they are still with us. After the funeral, it's just too late. I know that one of my uncles served in Korea. The only thing that my mother ever told me was that he could hear or feel the North Koreans digging tunnels underneath him.
My father served in the navy during World War II. He never mentioned anything about it. But, there is still a bit of a love story to be told. One of my mother's friends once wrote her a letter. He told her that he'd found the perfect guy for my mom. How often does something like that work out? They met up at college. Mom said that their first date was at the college library where he read her poetry. I would never have had a second date if someone tried that on me, but it worked for my mother.
So, my suggestion on this Memorial Day is to stop and remember. Say thank you if at all possible. And, if you can, gather a story or two that you can pass along. Do it before the memories are lost forever.
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\It was worth a second trip to take some photos around sunset.
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