Saugatuck Congregational Church, 245 Post Road East, Westport, CT is hosting Field of Flags, nearly 5,500 American flags will be placed on the church's great lawn on Friday, June 18th 11:00 AM-5:00PM by church, veterans and community groups. The flags will remain in place through July 5th. 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.
Tribute to the Military & Veterans by Dignitaries followed by a Dedication and Interfaith Service in Church Sanctuary, conducted by members of the Westport/Weston Interfaith Council. The list of casualties: by date, will be displayed in the church narthex (vestibule) showing the name and rank of each American casualty. Outside: a sign with American casualties listed by state. Flag folding demonstration, collection site for: worn & tattered American flags to be properly disposed. Write and send letters to Military Service members.
Sunday Farmer’s Market May 30- Nov. 21st, 11:30-2:30PM in back parking lot.
June 20, 27 and July 4th each Sunday is dedicated to CT Veterans: Kick for Nick: collecting soccer balls to be sent to children in Iraq, Homes For The Brave: transitional facility located in Bridgeport for men, Female Soldiers: creating a transition home for the more than 400 CT homeless female veterans, collection site: for letters and items to be sent overseas to local Armed Service personnel.
History from Somers Congregational Church: The “Field of Flags” was dedicated on Sunday, October 23, 2005 at the Somers Congregational Church in Somers, Connecticut. Members of the Memorial Garden Committee of the Somers Congregational 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 the church.
SCC Field of Flags Team Members: Co-Chairs: Mary Ann West and Randy Christophersen, Nancy Pool, David Pool, Liz-Ann Koos, Anne Patterson, William Meyer & Ruth Jones: Mother of a CT National Guardsman deployed in January.
All events are open to the public. Parking is limited: please use municipal lots, all are within walking distance
Friday, June 18th: Assigned Flag Placement Time:
11:00 AM: Saugatuck Congregational Church, SCC Nursery School
11:10 AM: American Red Cross, CERT Team members
11:20 AM: RTM
11:30 AM: U.N. Hospitality Committee, Westport Women’s Club
11:40 AM: Town of Westport Offices & Departments
11:50 AM: Westport Rotary Club, Sunrise Rotary Club
12:00 PM: Westport/ Weston Interfaith Council
12:20 PM: Y’s Women, Y’s Men
12:30 PM: League of Women Voters
12:50 PM: Westport Historical Society
1:00 PM: Chamber of Commerce
1:10 PM: Downtown Merchants Association
1:30 PM: TEAM Westport
1:40 PM: Westport Arts Center/ Westport Country Playhouse
1:50 PM: Neighbors of Saugatuck Congregational Church
2:00 PM: All Westport Nursery Schools
2:20 PM: All Westport Private Schools
2:30 PM: Westport Board of Ed & public schools
2:40 PM: Staples High School Band, singing groups
3:00 PM: Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts
3:30 PM: Westport Police, Fire & EMS
3:40 PM: Devoted to those who have served, are serving, and their families, including: VFW, American Legion, CT National Guard, Blue Star, Silver Star and Gold Star Families, Homes for the Brave and Female Soldiers. The reading of Connecticut names will begin at 3:40, the church bell will toll after each name with a moment of silence.
5:00 PM: Honor Guards: Patriot Guard, Police, Fire, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, VFW, American Legion along driveway: Pledge of Allegiance, music, 21 gun salute
5:10 PM: Blessing by Transitional Minister Howie Tobak,
Welcome from Westport First Selectman Gordon Joseloff
Music: to be announced
Tribute and Remarks: Elected Officials, Veterans and family members
5:30 PM: Procession into Church Sanctuary for Westport/Weston Interfaith Service
Boy Scout Wreath Ceremony inside Sanctuary
Participants and Public are welcome on open lawn and in Sanctuary.
