Field of Honor: a tribute to heroes

The Merced College lawn was dressed in red, white and blue on Sunday as more than 1,000 flags were raised, marking the the commencement of this year’s Field of Honor tribute.

Each 6-foot flag is meant to recognize veterans, active-duty military and first responders. The flags will remain on display until Nov. 11 at the college, 3600 M St.

Now in its second year, the display will attract people from all across Merced County, and neighboring counties, organizers said.

Jill Robert, a Merced resident, purchased a flag as a surprise for her father, David Robert, who served 25 years in the Air Force. Robert said she saw the field of flags last year, and knew that she would want to participate this year. “This is is such a beautiful tribute...it’s reminiscent of Washington D.C. and its monuments. It’s nice that our small town can do this for our soldiers.”

Robert, who is a teacher at Gracey Elementary School, believes the Field of Honor can also serve as an educational event for younger generations.

Her father, a Vietnam veteran who retired at Castle Air Force Base, was also present at Sunday’s event. He was honored to be represented with one of the thousands of flags. “This is just so awesome,” he said. “It’s the best thing anyone has done in Merced.”

Merced resident Connie Lineberger, purchased a flag in memory of her deceased husband, Ernie Lineberger. Her husband, a Korean War and Vietnam War veteran, served as captain and chaplain for the Navy. “He loved the military, and this represents him,” Lineberger said holding onto her husband’s flag. “He was so proud to serve our country, he would have loved this.”

The Field of Honor is organized by the Merced Sunrise Rotary Club. Frank Reed, event chairman, said the idea of a Field of Honor in Merced was born after organizers witnessed similar events in Southern California. “We thought we had enough veterans in the Central Valley for this to be well received, and it was,” he said. “We sold out all 1,000 flags last year, that was not expected.”

This year, 1,776 flags were available for purchase. As of Sunday, flags had not been sold out, but Reed did expect to run out by the end of the week.

An opening ceremony at the Merced College Theater highlighted how the funds raised by the Sunrise Rotary Club through the Field of Honor have benefited the community. According to organizers, the event has helped raise money for scholarships and fund Honor Flights, in addition to benefiting a new Merced Police Memorial. Funds raised during last year’s event also helped with the shipping expenses of 1,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies and one ton of almonds that were sent to deployed troops.

According to Merced Police Chief Norman Andrade, the 10-day display will be a way to to recognize all first responders and members of the military who have sacrificed themselves to protect the nation. “It will remind us of those who gave their lives to protect our world and make it a better place,” Andrade said during Sunday’s opening ceremony.

Flags will be taken down after a closing ceremony scheduled on the Merced College lawn at 10 a.m. Nov. 11. Anyone interested in purchasing flag, can still do so at www.mercedfieldofhonor.org.

This story was originally published November 2, 2014 at 5:17 PM with the headline "Field of Honor: a tribute to heroes."