On Memorial Day weekend in Westerville, it’s the 3,000 American flags that get all the attention.
But the Field of Heroes’ flags wouldn’t stand as straight without the hard work of 225-250 volunteers who help make it possible.
The city’s Memorial Day weekend tradition, now in its eighth year, is an experience designed to inspire visitors to reflect and honor their own personal heroes. Many of the flags planted in the field across the street from the Westerville Community Center were purchased for or dedicated to a visitor’s lost loved one.
From the Friday set-up to the Monday tear-down, the Westerville Sunrise Rotary Club’s cadre of volunteers works hard all weekend to ensure the event is special for all visitors.
“When the family arrives at the field, it takes a very special person to help them find their flag dedicated for their loved one and to listen as they tell stories,” says Julie Colley, event co-chairwoman.
Organizers aim to encourage visitors to return for subsequent Field of Heroes events, and much of that determination relies on the experience volunteers help provide.
“We look for volunteers who want to help because they believe in the meaning of the holiday,” says Colley.
And just as the Field of Heroes is special for visitors, it’s also very close to volunteers’ hearts.
“While I’m there, I get to hear stories of other people’s heroes and loved ones, and sometimes share a hug with someone that needs it,” says Cathy Noskowiak, one of those volunteers. “There’s never a bad time to be (at the field), whether it’s when the sun’s coming up, going down or just the middle of the afternoon.”
All of the crosses displayed on the field were made by volunteers, many of them by dedicated volunteer Jim Biven.
There are many different volunteering positions available throughout the weekend. People are needed to plant flags, set up equipment, work the information booth, greet visitors, take down the field and more.
The field is open 24 hours a day May 27-30. Flags can be purchased throughout the weekend at the field or on the Field of Heroes website.
For information on how to sign up to volunteer, visit www.fieldofheroes.org.
Zoe Zeid is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
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