In Arlington, 911 American flags will honor the ‘presence of heroes’ this month

This month, 911 American flags will again stand tall as part of a “Field of Honor” in Veterans Park.

Arlington Veterans Park Foundation President Clete McAlister said the annual display began as a way to honor Patriot Day, the day of remembrance for the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Although the Field of Honor is on display on and leading up to Patriot Day, it pays tribute to all veterans, active military members, law enforcement officers, firefighters and front-line health care workers, he said.

“The American flag is the national symbol of unity,” he said. “Anybody who wants to honor anybody, this is a good place to do it.”

Anyone can sponsor a flag, adding to it a tag with the name of the person they want to honor, McAlister said. After Patriot Day, the flags will be properly folded and mailed or given to sponsors in-person.

Volunteers will start setting up the flags Friday and the Field of Honor will be up Saturday morning, McAlister said. Because of COVID-19, flags will be spaced out about 10 feet apart. Visitors to the park are required to wear masks, and hand sanitizer will be available.

McAlister said he’s excited for people to see the flags spread out around the park.

“They’ll be amazed at the beauty of it, but they’ll feel the humility to be in the presence of heroes,” he said.

The Field of Honor will be on display from Saturday through Sept. 12 at Veterans Park, 3600 W. Arkansas Lane. A Patriot Day ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 11 at Arlington’s Levitt Pavilion, with speakers Mayor Jeff Williams, Rep. Ron Wright, and Joe Daniels, National Medal of Honor Museum CEO.