Do you have a loved one who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our American freedoms? Would you like to honor a friend or relative who is active duty military or a veteran? Do you know a peace officer, firefighter or EMT who risks life and limb to keep us safe?
Merced Sunrise Rotary wants to help you honor the heroes who serve — and who have served — with the 10th annual Merced Field of Honor.
Imagine over two thousand American flags flying proud on the Merced College lawn — each flag bearing the name of someone honored by a grateful relative or friend.
Become a part of the Merced Field of Honor by sponsoring a flag for just $35. Your flag will fly for a full week starting Saturday, Nov. 5. At the end of the week you can pick up your flag to use year round and then bring it back to fly again next year for a small fee. Purchase online at www.MercedFieldofHonor.org. All flag sales and re-flys must be done online.
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Merced Field of Honor you will receive a free 10th anniversary commemorative coin with each purchase.
The Field will be staffed 1PM to 6PM from Saturday, Nov. 5 to Saturday, Nov. 12. Flags may be picked up on Saturday, Nov. 12 after the closing ceremony (around 3PM) or on Sunday, Nov. 13 between 10A and noon. Last chance to pick up flags is from Nov. 14 to Nov. 23 from 8AM to 5PM at AAA Truck and Car Wash at 11 W 15th Street in Merced.
Because of the generosity of our many business sponsors Merced Sunrise Rotary has been able to produce an event that builds community pride and patriotism and puts a well-deserved spotlight on the sacrifices that our men and women in uniform make for all of us.
The Field of Honor is more than a statement of community pride and patriotism. It is also an important fundraiser with the net proceeds from the flag sales and sponsorships earmarked to support projects that benefit veterans, active duty military and first responders.
Field of Honor funds have supported scholarships and aid for both Merced College and UC Merced veteran students, provided CARE packages for active duty military, supported veterans programs carried out by Merced Elks and Kiwanis and provided financial support to our local VFW and American Legion as well as Disabled American Veterans.
They have also been able to assist with a major facility renovation at Castle Air Museum and were a major underwriter for the inaugural Yosemite Veterans Education and Leadership Seminar. And they’ve been able to provide the Merced Fire Department with funding for automatic CPR machines.
If you know of a non-profit group that is looking for funding for a project that would directly benefit veterans, active duty military or first responders they can apply for a grant from the Field of Honor by visiting online at: MercedSunriseRotary.org.
The 10th annual Merced Field of Honor will be displayed on the Merced College lawn from Nov. 5 through Nov. 12. Be sure to plan some time to wander through the field and enjoy the stories attached to many of the flags by friends and loved ones honoring their heroes.
The Merced Sunrise Rotary Field of Honor is presented by Joseph Gallo Farms and the Peter Gallo Memorial Foundation.