2,000 flags over Naperville's Rotary Hil honor vetrerans
More than 2,000 flags will wave over Rotary Hill in Naperville this week, honoring those whose courage never wavered.
The city will pay tribute to veterans today through Saturday at its first Healing Field of Honor.
"It's just a great celebration of the American experience honoring men and women of the military and for one week we will definitely ... be proud to be American," said Anna Zimmerman, fundraising chair.
Though the Healing Field National Foundation was originally established on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, Naperville is tying it into Veterans Day. The Exchange Club and Naperville Park District are coordinating the display.
Exactly 2,009 American flags - each 3 feet by 5 feet - will stand on 8-foot poles filling Rotary Hill on Aurora Avenue.
Twenty "supporters" each donated $1,500 to purchase all of the flags for the display.
One of the them is Bev Eigenberg who heard about the Healing Field at a Rotary Club of Naperville/Downtown meeting and said it gave her goose bumps. She and her grown children pitched in to help at the supporter level in honor of her late husband Harry who served in World War II.
"I just feel it will touch on whatever memories you have for the people who served and came back and for those that didn't and sacrificed their lives for us," she said.
Organizers now are selling the flags to the public for $30 each and have sold more than 750 so far.
For an additional $5, flag owners can also tag their flag with a message or the name of someone they would like to honor. Tagging will take place from 12:30 to 3 p.m. today.
Throughout the week, patriotic carillon music will play at noon, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. each day and tours of Moser Tower, which houses the Millennium Carillon, also will be available for those wanting a bird's-eye view of the Healing Field.
"I really encourage people to come with their children and walk the path with them," Eigenberg said. "I think even if they don't understand it, they'll remember it."
The flags also will provide the backdrop for this year's Veterans Day ceremony, which is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Jack Shiffler, an officer with the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, said the field will look like Arlington National Cemetery but with flags instead of gravestones.
"The flag means so much to a lot of us that this is big time," Shiffler said.
The VFW and American Legion Post 43 are organizing the ceremony that will include appearances by World War II veteran Bill Frier, Colonial Flag Foundation President Paul Swenson and state Rep. Jim Watson, a Marine reserve officer. There will also be music from the Naperville Municipal Band and a rifle salute.
There will not be a ceremony at Veterans Park this year.
The weeklong Healing Field display will wrap up Saturday, Nov. 14, with a salute to veterans at 11 a.m. and closing ceremonies at 3 p.m.
Anyone wanting to purchase a flag can do so at Rotary Hill throughout the week until they are sold out. Cash and checks will be accepted. Naperville artist Marianne Lisson Kuhn will also be creating a painting of the Healing Field and will be selling 150 prints for $100 each.
Proceeds from the Healing Field will benefit construction of Fisher House near the Edward Hines Jr. VA 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.
For more information on the Healing Field, visit healingfield.org/naperville or call Zimmerman at (630) 212-5426.
<p class=factboxtext12col><b>If you go</b></p> <p class=factboxtext12col>Naperville's Healing Field of Honor will be on display all week at Rotary Hill on Aurora Avenue featuring 2,009 flags to honor those who have served in the military. For more information, visit healingfield.org/naperville.</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>SUNDAY</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>12 p.m., 4 p.m. 7 p.m. Patriotic carillon music</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>12:30 to 3 p.m. Tag a Flag</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>Tours of Moser Tower</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>MONDAY</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>12 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. Patriotic carillon music</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>Tours of Moser Tower</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>TUESDAY</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>12 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. Patriotic carillon music</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>Tours of Moser Tower</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>WEDNESDAY</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>11 a.m. Veterans Day observance</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>Municipal Band medley</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>Carillon concert</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>12 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. Patriotic carillon music</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>Tours of Moser Tower</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>THURSDAY</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>12 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. Patriotic carillon music</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>Tours of Moser Tower</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>FRIDAY</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>12 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. Patriotic carillon music</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>Tours of Moser Tower</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>SATURDAY</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>11 a.m. Salute to veterans/patriot motorcycles atop Rotary Hill</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>12 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. Patriotic carillon music</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>Tours of Moser Tower</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>3 p.m. Closing ceremonies</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>3 to 4:30 p.m. Flag pick-up</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>What: Veterans Day observance</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>When: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>Where: Rotary Hill on Aurora Avenue in Naperville</p> <p class=factboxtext12col>Info: healingfield.org/naperville</p>