The eighth annual Georgetown Field of Honor is planned for Nov. 9-17 at San Gabriel Park, where thousands of American flags will be on display to honor military personnel during the week of Veterans Day.

What to expect

Around 2,000 full-size flags will be flown at the park 24/7, said Jeanne Cox, the vice president of fundraising and Field of Honor chair for the Rotary Club of Georgetown, the service organization planning the event with members and volunteers.

“It's a very emotional feeling for me that people dedicate their personal time to come and participate and serve,” Cox said. “Rotary's motto is ‘service above self,’ and that’s really what we’re honoring the whole week.”

Organizers are preparing for multiple ceremonies and speeches to take place across 10 acres of San Gabriel’s event lawn throughout the week, Cox said, including:

• A peace walk: Nov. 9, 8-10 a.m.
• The opening ceremony: Nov. 10, 1:30-2:45 p.m.
• The Veterans Day ceremony: Nov. 11, 11 a.m.

At the opening ceremony, visitors can expect a performance from the Texas Army National Guard's 36th Infantry Division Band, based in Camp Mabry. Aircraft flyovers from Devil Dog Squadron, a unit with the Commemorative Air Force, and Texas-based Falcon Flight Formation Team are also planned, Cox said.

Additionally, fire trucks, an ambulance, and a special weapons and tactics vehicle will be displayed. The schedule of additional events and ongoing displays throughout the week can be viewed here.

How it works

New and repost, or used, flags ranging from $25-$45 can be purchased online or in-person at the field. Visitors can receive assistance with flag retirements, or handling torn or tattered American flags, or from Nov. 11-15 in the evening, Cox said.

According to the Field of Honor website, flags can be dedicated to:

• Veterans
• Active or reserve duty military
• First responders
• K-9 units
• Equestrian heroes
• Prisoners of war
• Adopted heroes, or individuals in branches of military who don't already have a flag

Dedication tags will be made to note flags that are in honor of someone, and a laminated photo can be brought to accompany the display, Cox said.

“When there's a picture, it adds a new dimension of appreciation for that person,” Cox said.

A portion of proceeds from the event will be distributed to veteran and first responder nonprofits and other affiliates, Cox said.

What’s different?

O.P. Veteran Vetfest is a new event joining the Field of Honor on Nov. 9 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Pop-up tents will be set up with resources, opportunities and discounts for veterans or first responders to utilize, Cox said.

Additionally, a photographic memorial by Patriotic Productions titled “Remembering Our Fallen” will display fallen heroes from the war on terror.

“This is going to be very powerful, because there’s 34 10-foot towers, and each tower has three panels on it that have photos of many of the people that we’ve lost,” Cox said.

How we got here

Cox witnessed her first Field of Honor in Southern California at the Rotary Club of Murrieta’s flag display after her daughter had been recently deployed.

“I came away from that experience thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, someday, I would love to do something like that,’” Cox said.

Cox received positive feedback from Georgetown Rotarians after introducing the idea at a meeting, and in 2017, the first Field of Honor came to Georgetown.

Get involved

Anyone in the community can volunteer for shifts, Cox said, and opportunities range from assembling flags to welcoming visitors.

Learn more about the event at www.georgetowntxfieldofhonor.org.