Murrieta Field of Honor Opens Saturday; Week of Patriotic Events to Follow

The following is a news release from the Rotary of Club of Murrieta:

Opening day for the fifth annual Murrieta Field of Honor will be filled with patriotic songs and dignitaries, set amongst a spectacular sight -- 2,013 full-sized American flags. Staged in Murrieta’s Town Square Park, just a couple blocks off Interstate 15, the Field of Honor recognizes those who served or are serving in the United States armed forces, in law enforcement, fire and other first responder posts and other personal heroes.

The Field of Honor is presented by the Rotary Club of Murrieta in partnership with the City of Murrieta and is held in the park which stretches from City Hall at Jefferson and Kalmia streets, to the Library.

Opening day ceremonies are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, a day that will honor first responders. Murrieta Mayor Rick Gibbs will lead the welcoming ceremonies and will be joined by Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez and Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone. Local singer-songwriter Gwyn Sanborn will present the Star-Spangled Banner and other patriotic pieces in concert with the Salute Sisters and Michaela Kazen.

Twenty chalk artists have registered to produce patriotic images adjacent to the field of flags and they will be working on Saturday. There are spaces for youngsters to produce chalk art on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

The two-day Murrieta Rod Run will be finishing up a few blocks away in Historic Downtown Murrieta as the Field of Honor opens.  Adding to the excitement, the first-ever Murrieta Motorcycle Run will culminate at the Field of Honor after a run starting in Temecula and going through Camp Pendleton.

“Everyone has the opportunity to honor a veteran, those currently serving, loved ones or personal heroes by flying a flag in the Field of Honor,” Bob Bryant, chairman of the Rotary Club’s Field of Honor organizing committee, said. “Each purchased flag will be tagged with the name and rank, service or other designation. At the end of the week, flags may be picked up by those who purchase them."

Each American flag is three by five feet on an eight foot pole and can be purchased for $35.  They can be purchased on the Field of Honor website, www.murrietafieldofhonor.com, from nonprofit affiliates or by going to the Field of Honor during the week it is on display. Flag purchasers can pick up their flags after the closing ceremonies on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 2 p.m., and on Sunday, Nov. 17, from 9 a.m. until noon.

Net proceeds from the Field of Honor benefit the “Murrieta Through Time” history walk and the City’s Veterans’ Memorial, both at Town Square Park, and provide scholarships for military dependents.

Nonprofit groups affiliated with the Field of Honor to sell flags will receive $10 for each flag sold.

Furthering the Field of Honor’s educational benefits, all Murrieta Valley Unified School District fifth grade classes will visit the Field during the week of Nov. 11, hear explanations about the displays and complete class assignments.

Events during the week include:

Sat., Nov. 16 –2 p.m., “Day of Remembrance” and closing ceremonies will feature local singer-songwriters Jessie Andra Smith and John Lane.

Business and private sponsorships are important contributors to the Field of Honor’s success. Early sponsors for the 2013 event include Pechanga, Walmart, Securatas, Rosenstein & Hitzeman, Excel Landscape, State Farm Insurance, Loma Linda University Medical Center- Murrieta, Law Offices of Dennis Fabozzi, Dogtopia, Bernie Bramante - RANCON Realtor, Abbott Vascular, American Pacific Mortgage, Comprehensive Autism Center, Bryant & Associates Insurance, Glass Doctor Murrieta, Murrieta Valley Funeral Home, Rancho Ford, Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone, Stromsoe Insurance Agency, Rabo Bank, McBratney, Utah Pacific Corporation, International Model Group, Commerce Bank of Temecula Valley, Glenn Edison, The Soco Group, Farmstead Market, Restore-Habitat for Humanity, Potter Productions, Near Cal Corporation, Napa Auto Parts, Bear Creek Storage, Bamm Productions, Valley Business Journal, CR&R Environmental Services, Craig and Claudia Knopp and Richie’s Diner..