Community Corner

Field of Flags Pays Tribute to Fallen Americans in Iraq, Afghanistan Wars

More than 6.050 flags outside Greenfield Hill Congregational Church to remain until July 10 as 'a silent, patriotic and poignant reminder of the cost of war.'

The following news release was received on behalf of Greenfield Hill Congregational Church.

On Saturday, June 25, Greenfield Hill Congregational Church began its exhibit of “Field of Flags.” This is a display of over 6,050 flags remembering American men and women who gave their lives during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Since the last exhibit on this site in July 2009, over 1,000 Americans have made the ultimate sacrifice to safeguard our freedom.

The flags – one dedicated to each person who died – were placed next to the church to honor those Americans who have fallen in these conflicts.

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The list of soldiers who have lost their lives in the war are displayed by the Field of Flags showing the name and rank of each soldier. A notebook is also be kept in the church building with the name, rank, town, state and date of death of each American killed.

The Field of Flags is a silent, patriotic and poignant reminder of the cost of war. Each flag represents not simply one casualty, but all the family members and friends who have been touched by that life now gone. They represent our respect for those individuals who have served and are currently serving in the military, as well as our hope for peace in the future.

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The idea for the Field of Flags originated in the Somers Congregational Church in Somers, CT, where it was dedicated on October 23, 2005, to the then-2,231 Americans who had died in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Field of Flags had more impact than the Somers Church envisioned with the media coverage and the emotional reaction from their community and beyond. People came from towns across Connecticut, as well as from out of state to see the flags and view the name board. Individuals and families found the display to be both emotional, and also comforting to know that our servicemen and women have been remembered.

Since then, the original Field of Flags has traveled – similar to a floating exhibit – from Somers to churches in other towns in Connecticut, including Somersville, Colchester and New Milford. At the same time, additional churches, including Fairfield’s Greenfield Hill Congregational Church, as well as churches in Rhode Island, Virginia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, have made similar efforts to put up their own Field of Flags to honor the fallen American heroes of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Further, on July 3rd, the 9:30 am Sunday worship at Greenfield Hill Congregational Church will be both a celebration of our nation's birth and a remembrance of these soldiers. David Rowe's sermon will be titled, "Yes, my name is there... " in honor of the men and women who have given their lives.
Greenfield Hill Congregational Church welcomes all visitors to view the exhibit and asks people to pray for the safety of all of our troops and for the families of the fallen heroes.

The flags will remain on display until July 10th 2011. For more information on this exhibit, please contact Greenfield Hill Congregational Church at 203-259-5596.

Submitted on behalf of Greenfield Hill Congregational Church


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