Freedom isn't free: Fallen Heroes Memorial Flag on display at Patriot Park
A sobering reminder of the cost of America’s freedom is on display in Somerset County during the Independence Day weekend.
Volunteers with the Veterans & Athletes United nonprofit set up its Global War on Terror Fallen Heroes Memorial on Thursday at the Patriot Park Memorial, 6150 Stoystown Highway.
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The VAU Fallen Heroes Memorial honors the more than 7,000 U.S. military service members who have died since Sept. 11, 2001, during the Global War on Terrorism international military campaign.
The public is invited to view the Fallen Heroes Memorial from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day through Tuesday. Patriot Park is located along U.S. Route 30, close to the entrance for the Flight 93 National Memorial.
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“We’re hoping people will take the time to stop in and see the flag and pay their respects,” said Randy Musser, president of the Patriot Park Foundation, which operates the park.
“These people aren’t getting to celebrate Independence Day because they gave their lives for it.”
More than 7,000 lives represented on dog tag flag
The Fallen Heroes Memorial features a 6-foot by 28-foot American flag consisting of more than 7,000 red, blue and silver dog tags. Each dog tag is inscribed with the name of a fallen military service member. The size of the flag is also significant, as it represents the length and width of a U.S. flag when draped over a service member’s casket.
Fifty gold stars are placed on the upper left, or the Union section, of the flag to honor the sacrifice of the nation’s gold star families, who are the families of these fallen service members.
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At the bottom of the flag are medallions with the seal of each branch of the military, and a battlefield cross, sculpted from mahogany by veteran artist Alicia Dietz, stands in front of the display.
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Kathy Hause Walker, a Patriot Park Foundation board member, volunteer and the mother of Staff Sgt. Brian Hause, located her son’s dog tag on the Fallen Heroes flag with the help of fellow board member Clair Gill.
“We don’t want them to be forgotten,” she said about her son and others who volunteered to join the military after 9/11 and gave their lives in service to their country.
“This keeps their memory alive.”
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There is no cost to enter Patriot Park, but donations are welcome to help the foundation with maintenance and upkeep of the park. Donations can be given in person at the park or online at patriotparkfoundation.org, under the “How to Help” heading.
More information about Veterans & Athletes United can be found online at vetsau.com.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: VAU Fallen Heroes Memorial on display through July 5 in Stoystown PA
