The rows of American flags blowing in the breeze evoked a sense of gratitude among many who attended a recent Field of Honor ceremony in Palos Hills that honored hundreds of area veterans a day before the 21st anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001.
It was also a day for current veterans to feel appreciated and soak up that gratitude.
“It’s a big day of remembrance,” said Staff Sgt. Zachary Judy, of the Marine Corps, a recruiter based in Oak Lawn, as he strolled between the rows of flags with his two young daughters.
The event on the campus of Moraine Valley Community drew scores of people and included a keynote address by retired Army Lt. Col. Dale Carver about the need to honor veterans, especially in light of how many were treated after the Vietnam War.
The flags, on display from Sept. 10-13 to represent loved ones who have served, were from the Colonial Flag Foundation, a nonprofit that helps communities and charities honor veterans and others.
But the Palos Hills Kiwanis Club, the Palos Lions Club and the Hickory-Palos Sertoma Club, along with members of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy and others also helped with the commemoration.
Palos Hills Ald. Mike Lebarre and Ald. Donna O’Connell helped bring the idea to Palos Hills after Palos Hills Kiwanis Club president Clay Gervais read about another Field of Honor presentation.
Lebarre said when he became a member of the Kiwanis Club years ago, the president at the time, a retired veteran, put on a Memorial Day service but few people showed up.
“I was really disappointed in that, and I thought to myself how easily we forget what these people have done for us,” he said. “We need to never forget what these men and women do for us.”
The two organizers, like many others who helped or attended, have relatives and friends in the military, both living and deceased.
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“Their loyalty and what they did for us and our country is very, very important and I don’t think it gets enough recognition,” O’Connell said.
Gervais, the Kiwanis Club president who served in the Army from 1954 to 1956, said when he mentioned the event to people at the Hickory Hills farmer’s market, many were interested in sponsoring flags.
“It’s a great thing for our community,” Gervais said. “I’m happy to be here to honor the community and veterans.”
The flags and ceremony were originally slated for Bennett Park in Palos Hills, but so many flags were purchased, officials needed more space.
Sylvia Jenkins, president of MVCC, said she was glad the event was held there and pointed out the college started a Veterans Resource Center to help them.
Mayor Gerald Bennett, in his opening remarks Saturday, called the flags “a patriotic tribute to the strength and unity of Americans.”
“We show our profound gratitude for their service and sacrifices,” Bennett said.
After the ceremony, attendees had a chance to walk the field as the names of veterans were read aloud.
Marilyn Townsend was there with her dog Cody and friend Steven Palka.
Townsend said she was glad for the chance to “thank our servicemen for protecting our country.”
“I love the flags … just the gentle breeze this morning,” said Townsend. “It’s beautiful.”
Palka agreed.
“If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be free,” he said.
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.