Field of Flags at First Congregational Church

The Field of Flags at First Congregational Church in  North Adams.

In out last post, we noted that volunteers were needed for the Field of Flags at First Congregational Church in North Adams. The Field of Flags is now installed on the church lawn, where it will be for a month. It is quite powerful when one ponders that each flag represents the lost life of a service member – and that new flags will need to be added while the display is here.

Here is a history of the project available at the display:

History of the Field of Flags

The Field of Flags was dedicated on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005, at the Sommers Congregational Church in Somers, Conn. Members of the Memorial Garden Committee of that church placed 2,231 American flags, one for each American casualty in Iraq and Afghanistan. The flags were placed to honor those who have given their lives in the conflicts and to show that those who have died and their families and friends were remembered in prayer at our church.

The list of casualties, by state, was displayed on a name board by the Field of Flags showing the name and rank of each American casualty. A notebook was kept in the church building with the name, rank, town, state, and date of death of each American casualty.

The idea for the Field of Flags came about as members of the Memorial Garden Committee considered what our church could do to show support for our troops. Each casualty reminded us of the danger and increased the empathy we felt for the families of those who have died.

The Field of Flags had more impact than the committee envisioned, with the media coverage and emotional reaction from our community and beyond. People came from towns across the state and out of state to see the flags and view the name board. Individuals and families have found the display to be emotional, yet comforting to know that their loved ones have been remembered.

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 who have served and are currently serving in the military and our hope for peace in the future, for a time when no one is called upon by our country to give the greatest sacrifice. Please continue to pray for the safety of all our troops and for the families of the fallen heroes. ...

Here is a link to a video about the Field of Flags:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdhfrWUZ8WM

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We had one of the most informative Interfaith Action Initiative meetings yet on June 29. I hope make more postings this week on what we discussed.