The Veterans Memorial Park Foundation welcomed the Rotary Club of Arlington and more than 50 community volunteers who set up 911 full-sized American flags on Saturday, September 5, for the Field of Flags that launched Patriot Week at Arlington Veterans Park.
The volunteers, led by members of the Rotary Club of Arlington and the Veterans Park Memorial Foundation, which sponsors the week, joined with helpers from Arlington High School’s FFA chapter, Scouting America, Girl Scouts, and families to set up the flags.
The result is a stunning field of red, white, and blue waving in the wind, reflecting the United States’ resilience.
The weeklong remembrance and community tribute honors the nation’s heroes past and present – from active-duty military and veterans to first responders on this 25th anniversary of 9/11.
Members of the Arlington community have purchased many of the flags to be flown in honor of a loved one, adding a personal, emotional connection to the Field of Flags.
Family members have shed tears and relived memories from the military service of loved ones, as well as the almost 3,000 souls who lost their lives on 9/11.
“The stories of bravery and love of our country have touched our hearts as we visited with these family members during this Patriot Week,” said Clete McAlister, the lifelong Arlington resident and U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam combat veteran who established what was then called the patriotic display of 911 American flags in 2019.
McAlister and his wife, Susie, have volunteered every day of Patriot Week this year to welcome guests and help families locate the flags purchased and dedicated to their loved ones. Flags are still available for purchase and display on the Patriot Week website.
Event organizers encourage everyone who owns a flag at work or at home to fly their American flag through the weekend.
One of the Patriot Week highlights starts at 7:10 p.m. Friday: Stars, Stripes & Remembrance, which will feature a free concert and commemoration with country music singer-songwriter Coffey Anderson, known for his viral patriotic songs, at the Levitt Pavilion, directly across from Arlington City Hall on Abram Street.
People may visit the Field of Flags at Arlington Veterans Park through Saturday, September 12, and volunteers will begin removing and storing the flags at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday. People may volunteer to help remove and store the flags by calling 817-205-2334.
