Healing Field returning to Naperville with 2,019 flags
Thousands of U.S. flags - 2,019 to be exact - will cover Naperville's Rotary Hill in a colorful and moving November display, the Naperville Healing Field Committee announced.
Located near the Millennium Carillon along the downtown Riverwalk, Naperville's "Healing Field Of Honor" will be open to the public Nov. 1 and continue through Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
A trumpeter will play taps at 5 p.m. on the first and last evenings and historical and informational displays will be set up inside the Riverwalk Café at the base of Rotary Hill, which will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily during the event.
"2019 is a fitting time to bring the Healing Field back to Naperville, in order to mark the 100th anniversary of the official end of World War I," said David Wentz, committee co-chairman.
This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the city's American Legion Post 43 and the 75th anniversary of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Judd Kendall Post 3873.
To emphasize the historical perspective, the theme for the 2019 Naperville Healing Field is "Remembering a Century of Heroes and Heritage."
"It is important to educate our citizens about World War I and about the Napervillians who were involved in 'The Great War,' seven of whom died in service," committee co-chairman Marty Walker said.
"We warmly encourage the entire community and beyond to come to Rotary Hill this November and commemorate these important points of history by observing this beautiful and moving display, and purchasing a tagged flag for those who served."
More than 300 Naperville residents served in World War I, representing 10 percent of the city's population at that time, and seven lost their lives in the conflict.
The display also will honor Naperville residents who served in other conflicts, dating to the city's founder, Joe Naper, who served in the Illinois Militia during the Black Hawk War of 1832, and continuing through Napervillians who served in the Civil War and all major conflicts since, including in the Middle East and Afghanistan.
A special and free showing of the Warner Bros./Peter Jackson film "They Shall Not Grow Old" will be open to the public at 6:45 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4, in the Naperville North High School auditorium.
Residents wishing to commemorate a military service member or simply show their gratitude for their freedoms may purchase a flag with a tag identifying the service member or veteran for $40. Purchases and sponsorships are available at www.healingfield.org/Naperville19.
Following the conclusion of the event on Nov. 12, purchasers may pick up their flags at Rotary Hill or have them shipped for an additional $7 fee.
Money raised from the 2019 Healing Field will support Leap of Faith, a three-day seminar and activities program through Operation Support Our Troops that helps families deal with the loss of a service member. The seminar includes an optional opportunity to take a literal and figurative leap of faith through a tandem sky-dive with The All Veteran Parachute Team.
For more information, email NapervilleHealingField@gmail.com or visit www.healingfield.org/Naperville19.
The first Healing Field display took place in Naperville in 2009 and was followed by another in 2012 and a third in 2015. The events have raised funds for Fisher House at Edward Hines, Jr., Veterans Affairs Hospital that provides lodging for families visiting patients, and the Allen J. Lynch Foundation, which funds traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder research.