MURRIETA FIELD OF HONOR OPENS IN TOWN SQUARE PARK NOVEMBER 9
The Murrieta Field of Honor is brought to Murrieta as a community service by the Rotary Clubs of Murrieta and Old Town Temecula in partnership with the City of Murrieta. The Field of Honor is held in Town Square Park, located just two blocks off I-15, and stretching from City Hall at Jefferson and Kalmia streets, to the Murrieta Library. The display is free and open to all.
The 16th annual Murrieta Field of Honor will be on display November 9-16 in Murrieta’s Town Square Park, giving visitors the opportunity to recognize their heroes in an awe-inspiring site with 2,024 full-sized American flags.
Each year for the past 16 years, the Field has recognized heroes –those who served or are serving in the United States armed forces, law enforcement, fire and other first responder posts, plus personal heroes. In addition to the 2,024 flags available for dedication to personal heroes, the Field features sections for Medal of Honor recipients, Local Heroes (those from Riverside and San Bernardino counties, who have given their lives for this country since 2003), historical flags, a flag dedicated to those who perished in 9/11, state flags and a patriotic chalk walk.
Opening ceremonies for the 2024 Field of Honor recognize First Responders, including the Murrieta fire and rescue and police departments. This is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 9. Local and state officials will speak.
As the flags are being placed in perfect rows in the park early on Saturday, November 9, artists participating in the Al Vollbrecht Rotary Chalk Walk will be creating patriotic works of art on the sidewalks surrounding the park.
A salute to the United States Marines on their 249th birthday will be held on Sunday, November 10. Murrieta’s popular Veterans Day parade will be Monday, November 11. A candlelight concert with Murrieta students is planned for Thursday night and a Boy Scouts Final Flag Salute ceremony is planned on Friday evening.
“We are honored to present this spectacular event as a gift to our Southwest Riverside community,” said Dr. James Yanoschik, 2024-25 president of the Murrieta Rotary Club. “And we are especially thankful for our Field of Honor sponsors who not only make this event possible but also make it possible for Rotary to fund many significant projects throughout the year.”
The Field of Honor’s Organizing Committee is led by Past Murrieta Rotary President Lou Ellen Ficke and Jennifer Rasmussen, past president of the New Generation Club. The planning committee started meeting early this year.
Each American flag is three by five feet on an eight-foot pole and can be purchased for $35. They can be purchased at https://www.murrietarotaryclub.org/product/flag-sponsorship , until Friday, Nov. 8 or by going to the Field of Honor during the week it is on display. Each sponsored flag is tagged with the name of the honoree and rank, service or other designation. Those who have flags from previous years that are in good condition can have them reposted for $10.
Flag purchasers can pick up their flags on Saturday, Nov. 16, and from 9 a.m. until noon on Sunday, Nov. 17.
Proceeds from the 2024 Field of Honor will benefit community projects of both Rotary Clubs.
Furthering the Field of Honor’s educational benefits, all Murrieta Valley Unified School District fifth grade classes will visit the Field during the week, hear explanations about the displays and complete class assignments.
Full Schedule of Events
Sat. Nov. 9 – 10 a.m. Opening ceremonies honor first responders.
9-5 Al Vollbrecht Rotary Chalk Walk artists developing patriotic images
Sun., Nov 10 – 9 a.m.-5 p.m. — – Noon- Marine Corps Birthday celebration -open to the public
9-5 Al Vollbrecht Rotary Chalk artists developing patriotic images
Mon., Nov. 11 — 10 a.m.-noon. City of Murrieta’s Veterans Day Parade, concluding at the Field of Honor
Tues. Nov. 12- Fri. Nov. 15 – 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Student field trips.
Wed., Nov. 13 – Murrieta Rotary Club’s Veterans Lunch. By invitation only
Thurs.. Nov. 14 – 6 p.m. Candlelight Concert features choirs from the Murrieta schools; reading of “Letters from War” by The Wunderlich Family.
Fri. Nov. 15 – 5 p.m. – Boy Scouts conduct Final Salute flag retirement
Sat., Nov. 16 – 9-5 p.m., Flag Pick-ups
Sun., Nov. 17 – 9 a.m. – noon, Flag Pick-ups