Monday, May 27, 2013

Field of Heroes

2013 Idaho Field of Heroes Memorial
 


 

Memorial Day Weekend 2013, May 24 - 27
at Century High School in Pocatello Idaho

 

 

 
 
The Field of Heroes is a community volunteer project. The materials required for its production are all donated or purchased with funds donated by the general public. That includes everything from the wood, paint, lamination of the plaques, lights, and portable toilets, to the metal connectors, signs and additional needs. These volunteers include Veterans, Boy Scouts, and kids out of school, professionals who take time from their workday to come out, housewives and regular patriotic citizens. Other volunteers include local law enforcement and members of the local National Guard and Reserve Units, many who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Volunteers take time out of their busy lives and come out in all kinds of weather to make the tribute perfect.
 
The Field of Heroes is a one of a kind tribute to every service member who has died in Iraq or Afghanistan since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom (now Operation New Dawn) and Operation Enduring Freedom.
 
  On Memorial Day weekend, the soccer fields at Century High School in Pocatello, Idaho are transformed into a temporary memorial in the spirit of famous national cemeteries such as Arlington National Cemetery which is located in Washington DC.
 
The engineers begin with a largely empty soccer field at Century High School...
 
  Each wooden marker is handmade, painted white and affixed with the name, rank and the date of death of an American Service Member who paid the ultimate price in the name of freedom.


The markers are then carefully spaced and placed into the ground. Once the field has been constructed
 it is then dedicated as hallowed ground
 
 
 
 
and opened to the public
for those who wish to come and pay their respects.
 
 
 
We did not get to go on the Memorial Ground
as pets were not allowed
but a nice lady offered to take our picture
with Mom & Dad just outside the memorial
 
Mom and Dad then each took a turn visiting the Memorial
 
 
 
From Mom
 
It is hard to describe the power of this memorial
Although this is its 10th year,
this was the first time we made the trip across town to see it.
 

 
Stan & I decided to return Sat evening without the pugs
so we could take our time experiencing it together.
 
 
In front there was a special section for Idaho
 
 
 two rows of larger crosses
each with the name, rank, age,
where killed, hometown and a picture




We went up and down the row pausing to read each one
 
before walking out into the rows and rows of crosses
 
 
Those who had been awarded the Medal of Honor
their story was displayed with their cross
 


The Price of Freedom

 
   As Americans we hold the right to free speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, the right to be represented in government, the right to keep and bear arms, and the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness above all else. The men and women who have fought and died in every war and conflict since we won our freedom, thought that the rights of others, the freedom of their children, and the right to choose their own fate, was far more important than their own lives. This is the price paid for your liberty, your freedom, and your way of life. Honor this gift because it is the Price of Freedom.
 

 
On this Memorial Day
we honor all those
 (two and four legged)
that have fought and gave their lives
 serving this country. 

May God Bless America


We are the PugRanch Kids
Bailey, Hazel & Greta

10 comments:

  1. Such a beautiful post! But sadly there are far too many crosses out there.

    Happy Memorial Day to all! And God Bless our troops still out there protecting us.

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  2. We agree too many crosses. So sad to see. Bless them all. Have a marvellous Memorial Monday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  3. ITs very sad to see all those crosses

    urban hounds

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  4. Wow, seeing the memorial definitely gives us an image of how many lives were lost for your country. Bless their souls and many thanks for their service.

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  5. Happy Memorial Day!! That is a really nice community park and we love your family photo.

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  6. Very powerful, thanks for sharing.

    Wyatt's family

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  7. Happy Memorial Day! Love this post! A friend of mine went to Pocatello this weekend. I'll have to ask her if she went to see this.

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  8. What a moving tribute. Thank you for sharing it with us.

    Love,
    Reuben

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  9. Wow, what a special and touching tribute. Thank you so much for sharing this.
    Love,
    Christy

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