Field of Honor returning to Rochester: Time to buy flags to honor veterans
ROCHESTER — Vouchers for Veterans and the city announced they will once again put heroism on display this Memorial Day weekend. Field of Honor will be held at the Rochester Common with 550 full-size American flags on display around and within the 1/3-mile oval park.
The event is free to the public, will open in the morning on Saturday, May 27 and remain in place until Tuesday, May 30. Each night at 7 p.m. a bugler will play taps to commemorate the memory of members of all branches of the armed forces. Like last year, 550 flags will be erected with 200 of them dedicated specifically to New Hampshire and Maine veterans who died while serving in Vietnam. The multi-day event expects to draw thousands of visitors who will come and pay their respects to the men and women who have served our country, with many making the ultimate sacrifice.
Flags are available to dedicate at vouchersforveterans.org. Each flag is three feet by five feet and costs $40. You may choose to purchase and pay securely online or print a form and mail it along with a check. You may also choose to honor a specific veteran, living or deceased, or allow Vouchers for Veterans to choose a Vietnam veteran who died in service.
If you purchase multiple flags, they will be located together within the display. Volunteers will be on site throughout the weekend between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. to help you locate your flag(s). Each flag will be identified with a laminated card containing the name, branch, and rank of the veteran. Those who died in action will be denoted with a black cross and each card is attached to the flagpole with a yellow silk ribbon.
After the event you may keep your flag, or you may donate it back for future events. If you choose to keep your flag, it must be picked up on Saturday, June 3, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the American Legion Post 7. You may also choose to have your flag mailed to you for $12. All sales end May 15, or when flags are sold out.
On Monday May 29 the Rochester Memorial Day Parade will end at the Rochester Common at approximately 10:45 a.m. and a Memorial Day ceremony will take place immediately after at 11 a.m. The American Legion Post 7 will open the ceremony with the presentation of colors followed by the laying of the wreaths for each branch of the military. Mayor Paul Callaghan will welcome all in attendance and provide opening remarks.
Jeanne Grover, founder of Vouchers for Veterans, is excited to bring this event back for a third year.
“Last year’s event was very emotional for many visitors” Grover said. “I witnessed several people wiping away tears as they strolled among the field of flags, reading the names on the cards. We are so grateful to the city of Rochester partnering with us so that this display may be brought back once again to the community."
Vouchers for Veterans thanked the volunteers that come together to help set up and dismantle this moving display. Without them, there would not be a display. It also thanked the city of Rochester, Holy Rosary Credit Union, Rochester Elks, Woodsmen RC, Rochester Rotary, American Legion Post 7, ROTC, Spaulding High School and American Legion Post 7 Auxiliary.
Vouchers for Veterans' mission
Since 2016, Vouchers for Veterans has provided vouchers to local veterans for the purchase of fresh locally sourced food directly from the growers at local farmers markets. At our indoor winter farmers markets running January through April, veterans may pick up vouchers the first Saturday of each month at the Stratham farmers market, the second Sunday of the month at the Berwick, Maine, farmers market, the third Saturday of the month at the Rollinsford farmers market and the last Saturday of the month at the Portland, Maine, farmers market. Veterans may also pick up vouchers once a week in September and may choose from nine participating markets.
Grover said the program helps three different groups of people simultaneously. The veterans receive the fresh food and “thanks” for serving, the farmers, growers, and food preparers receive the face value of each voucher redeemed and the money stays in the community.
"We are grateful for all the support we receive from each community with a special thanks to our two largest contributors Iron Tails Saloon and Swim with a Mission," she said.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Field of Honor returning to Rochester NH in 2023
