Naperville Healing Field of Honor to feature 2,009 flags
The lush green of Rotary Hill in Naperville will be a sea of red, white and blue this Veterans Day.
A proposed Healing Field of Honor is expected to feature 2,009 American flags that will fill the hill in a display of patriotism that also is designed to help veterans causes.
The Exchange Club of Naperville and the park district are spearheading the project.
"It's intended to be a communitywide event that would celebrate veterans and their families ... by tying it in with Veterans Day and veterans week and putting it in the middle of our community," said David Wentz, Exchange Club past president.
The Healing Field National Foundation was established in 2002 on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. Healing Fields are now in dozens of communities around the country.
For Naperville, because Sept. 11 is so close to the Jaycees annual Last Fling event at Rotary Hill, organizers decided to tie the Healing Field in with Veterans Day.
The plan is to display 2,009 flags at Rotary Hill near the Riverwalk from Nov. 8-14. Each flag is 3 feet by 5 feet and attached to an 8-foot plastic pole.
"The overhead view of what it's going to look like from the (millennium) carillon will be nothing short of breathtaking," Wentz said.
Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 and Naperville American Legion Post 43 also will hold their annual Veterans Day observance at the site at 11 a.m. Nov. 11.
Flags are on sale for $30 each. Order forms are available at the park district administrative office at 320 W. Jackson Ave., the south maintenance facility at 3415 Book Road and online at healingfield.org.
Organizers also are looking for at least 20 supporters to give gifts of $1,500 each that will come with naming rights for 10 flags that can be taken home or donated to the following year's event. For those purchases, contact Anna Zimmerman at (630) 212-5426.
Wentz encourages residents, businesses and area service groups alike to participate in purchasing flags and said he already has received commitments from many of Naperville's service groups.
"It represents everything good about our community and our country that we honor and remember those who have served overseas, those of our family members who have served before us and those who haven't come back," he said.
On Nov. 8, there will be time set aside for anyone who has purchased a flag to create a tag to attach to it with a name or message. At the end of the week, the owners can take their flags home with them.
Proceeds from the sales will benefit construction of Fisher House near the Edward Hines Jr. Veterans Administration Hospital in Hines in addition to other veterans causes through Operation Support Our Troops Illinois. The Fisher House will be a place for families of patients to stay while visiting their loved ones.
"This will be a tremendous service project," Wentz said. "Hopefully for many years to come."