Bloomington's first Field of Honor: Each flag tells a story, raises funds for homeless veterans

An array of 500 U.S. flags can be seen this week along West 3rd Street in front of Ivy Tech Community College in Bloomington. This marks Bloomington's inaugural Field of Honor, part of a national program by the Colonial Flag Foundation, hosted by the Exchange Club of Northside Bloomington in partnership with Ivy Tech.

The display intends to "bring the community together in a patriotic tribute to honor our heroes," the website reads. Each flag is purchased to honor an individual. The event served as a fundraiser, benefiting the Southern Indiana Exchange Club Foundation, which is working to house homeless veterans and their families. The display was showcased on Flag Day (June 14), with an opening ceremony.

Speakers at the opening ceremony included Bloomington chamber of commerce CEO Eric Spoonmore, Ivy Tech's vice chancellor of finance and Indiana Army National Guard member Joe Habig, Bloomington deputy mayor Gretchen Knapp, Monroe County director of veterans affairs Steven Miller, Exchange Club member and U.S. Army veteran Matt Schulz, state senator Shelli Yoder, and former National Exchange Club President and Air Force veteran Russ Finney.

In her remarks, Knapp shared a story of her grandfather's service in World War I, and his later role defending against the Pearl Harbor attack. One of the flags is dedicated to David Barrett Knapp. "Every hero's flag here has a story," she said, "and I'm sure that many of you gathered here have your own treasured story, ... just as I have shared.

"But the story of heroism is only part of the story of a life," Knapp continued. "Each story of heroism has a before, and an after. And when we celebrate our heroes, we need to honor not just their service, but also the aftermath of their heroism. My grandfather came back with a chronic ear infection and no job prospects, and he considered himself to be very fortunate. The personal cost of being a hero is often much higher, and that cost is borne not just by veterans, but also by their families."

The field of flags will remain on display for a week, until Saturday, June 21, and can be found at 200 Daniels Way.