GREENFIELD — The public is invited to witness 500 American flags flying at Indianapolis Regional Airport this week.
The Field of Honor display will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 2-5 at the airport, at 5809 W. Airport Blvd. in Mt. Comfort.
The free event is hosted by the Exchange Clubs of Hancock County and Lawrence, in cooperation with the Indianapolis Airport Authority.
Due to social distancing, this year’s display won’t feature speakers or greeters. Guests are invited to drive by or walk through the rows of 3-by-5-foot flags on their own.
Typically Field of Honor events are held throughout the country to honor veterans and first-responders, but this year they will also honor medical personnel, truck drivers, food service personnel, grocery store employees and “anyone who has contributed to keeping us safe, fed and healthy during the pandemic,” according to the Healing Field website.
This will be the third year for the popular display at Indianapolis Regional Airport.
Organizers say the patriotic display is “hard to describe, but once experienced, never to be forgotten.”
“You can witness some truly amazing things at these events,” Jeff Young, president of the two hosting exchange clubs.
He once saw a naturalized citizen from Guatemala visit the display with her children. “She said, ‘Children, this is a good country. This flag allows us to do what we’re able to do,’” Young recalled.
The event is free, but donations are accepted. Some of the money collected goes to local charities, while the rest is used to maintain and replace the flags.
Those who wish to still sponsor a flag in someone’s name this year may email Young at [email protected]. The cost is $30.
For more information on the local Field of Honor event, visit healingfield.org/event/greenfieldin20.
