Memorial Day
Observations
~
The Flags
of Remembrance
~
Healing Field
Murfreesboro, TN
by Volunteer, Rich Peoples
Founder/Hosts&Sponsors
Coordinator
VetsNiteOut
Saturday, May 29, 2010:
All I can say is... IT WAS AWESOME!
We got there early...between 7 and 7:30 a.m. Shortly thereafter, the big truck carrying the 1500 Flags arrived.
Watching all the Volunteers lining up to help unload the truck and place the Flags
was just really something to see!
Setting the Flags: Rebar had already been put in the ground, so it was just a matter of unrolling the flags and placing them over the rebar. All 1500 of them!
Then back for more Flags!
All the volunteers worked so well together, the Flags were up before too long! What a sight!
And I would really like to thank everyone I personally invited to come help!
VetsNiteOut had all kinds of friends/
fellow members from CMA Cornerstone Riders, Rolling Thunder TN Ch.1, Murfreesboro HOG, and personal friends ... all showing up to "help get this show on the road"!
And a new friend, Jeanie M. Jones - Photographer, took a whole bunch of awesome photos of this spectacular event and shared them with us! (see below for access).
Even Lou Ann Zelenik showed up to help!
As anyone local knows, Lou Ann is running for Congress; you can check out what she stands for at:
And you can see MORE PHOTOS at
For some really awesome photos of the HEALING FIELD ~ Flags of Remem-brance, be sure to see the Facebook
Page of
JEANIE M. JONES
Photographer/Volunteer
St. Jude/ACS/CMT/Rescue:
Sunday, May 30, 2010:
Another awesome day at the Healing
Field in Murfreesboro, TN! The number of people coming out to pay tribute to our Country's fallen heroes was incredible!
Very emotional day ... hard to hold back the tears ...
And more Disabled Veterans paying their respects, as well as being honored themselves.
I hope you were able to make it. If not, be sure to go by tomorrow, Monday, May 31st, Memorial Day.
It will be a terrific day! All the way down to the Closing Ceremony at 6 pm, which will include a Bagpiper, a 21-Gun Salute, and Taps.
Monday, May 31, 2010 -
MEMORIAL DAY:
VERY EARLY START today!
My instructions were to be at the Healing Field by 5:00 a.m.
Some of my fellow Murfreesboro HOG Members were really glad to see me: they had volunteered to stay with the Flags all night, and were ready to go get some-thing to eat and get some sleep!
WZTV Fox 17 News (fox17.com) Reporter Justin McFarland was there interviewing folks
about what Memorial Day meant to them.
Not many could finish without their eyes tearing up...
Among the many, many folks coming out today were Carl and Mary Hirlston, Sr. 0f Woodbury, TN; they were there to commemorate their grandson killed in Iraq:
Lots of folks....lots of Flags....and it was still incredible, despite a a few rain showers here and there!
Thank you Noon Exchange Club of Murfreesboro, TN for such a wonderful event ... and special thanks to everyone who helped with it!
See everyone here again next year!
_______________________________
Some of the Ladies from Tennessee State
Veterans Home are supposed to go back to Karin's Kustard in Smyrna, TN. on Monday, June 28th for a "picnic" outside on the picnic tables, but it's been so unseasonably H-O-T already this year that we will just have to wait and see what the temperature is on that day!
We certainly don't want anyone to get overheated!
***UPDATE: Well, sure enough, it was very hot that day, and there was a little change of plans: the Ladies went to the Mall with Caregivers from the Veterans Home, so a whole bunch of the guys went to Karin's, but they stayed on the bus and ate ice cream and drank milkshakes!
And Karin says bring them back anytime!
Thanks Karin!
________________________________
WILLIE'S was GREAT!
The Veterans had a wonderful time at Willie's in Smyrna, TN on the 29th!
Some other folks stopped in and they "joined the party"! There was lots of laughter, good food and cold beer!
The Staff at Willie's is always so nice and accommodating to our Veterans. And Willie's has plenty of room for the wheelchairs to get around, which is always a big plus! Thanks Willie's!
_____________________________
to all the wonderful Fathers who have earned the title
