NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—Overlooking Newport Harbor stands 1,776 large American flags placed along the paths at Castaways Park.
Representing the date that the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration on Independence on July 4, 1776, the flags are part of the Exchange Club of Newport Harbor’s 13th annual Field of Honor, which recognizes those who served in the military and first responders in time for Memorial Day.
“Flags can be purchased and dedicated in honor of a person who has served at any time, in any branch of the American military, or who is considered a First Responder,” Richard Swinney, Field of Honor committee chairman, told The Epoch Times during last year’s event.
Individuals looking to participate are welcome to dedicate a flag to a military service member or a first responder, which will include a yellow ribbon tied to a flag with the honoree’s name, rank, and branch of service on it.
Those honored can include all military service members, firefighters, lifeguards, police, and medical personnel. Flag dedications can be done online or at the onsite booth with a $50 donation, where 100 percent of proceeds will go toward families of servicemen and women, and other charities.
In the past, flags have even been dedicated to soldiers going as far back as the American Revolutionary War.
“Neighbors and people walking through the park are already telling us how glad they are to see the Field of Honor going up again, and we haven’t even gotten the flags out of storage,” Swinney said last year.
The Field of Honor opened May 20 and will close after Memorial Day May 30.
On Memorial Day, the park will host a ceremony complete with a musical performance, presentation of colors, national anthem, flag folding ceremony, and more.
Following the event, dedicated flags can be taken home or donated to the Exchange Club to use for next year.
