2021 Burlington County Field of Honor
from May 29 to June 4, 2021
at Medford NJ Freedom Park, 86 Union St., Medford, NJ 08055
What IS the Burlington County Field of Honor?
Burlington County is the home of heroes! Citizens of our New Jersey county, have volunteered for their communities and their country when duty called, and have laid down their lives for the cause of freedom. These soldiers, sailors, and airmen exemplify the Rotary motto of Service Above Self. But the Burlington County Field of Honor extends its recognition beyond those in military service to also express a grateful community's humble appreciation for those first responders, volunteers and other ordinary citizens who never ask, "Why me?" but instead who answer the call to duty and service--and who have sometimes made the ultimate sacrifice for doing so.
For one week each year, beginning on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and extending through the Friday after Memorial Day, Medford Sunrise Rotary will arrange more than 300 full-sized American flags in a precise grid pattern in Freedom Park, 86 Union Street, Medford. In addition, our Heroes Circle will feature a display of the flags of all military branches of service, plus those of the first responder services and of POW/MIAs.
Each flag will have a commemorative medallion which describes a person who has given--or who continues to dedicate--their service to the community and the nation. Open day and night, hundreds of people from far beyond Burlington County can be seen walking between the flags, reading the tributes, here to a fallen World War I teenager, there to a police officer, over there to a beloved grandfather who succumbed to COVID-19.
Each night at sunset, a trumpeter plays Taps and the names of those who are honored by their loved ones are read aloud.
What does it cost to visit the Burlington County Field of Honor?
Nothing. It is absolutely free, although you may make a donation to help the Field of Honor continue if you wish.
How can I honor a special person at the Burlington County Field of Honor?
You can sponsor a flag for $50. By providing us with brief details of that honoree, we will print that on a commemorative medallion which will be attached to a flag for the entire week. At the end of the week, you are most welcome to pick up the medallion as a keepsake.
Is the event COVID-safe?
The entire event is outdoors and the flags are situated at least 7 feet apart, allowing for safe social distancing for any visitor to walk through the display
What does sponsorship money go?
Medford Sunrise Rotary is a charitable organization. Other than paying for the cost of the flags, all proceeds from the Burlington County Field of Honor go to charitable activities sponsored by Medford Sunrise Rotary. Examples of those activities include:
Sending special treats to our troops serving overseas.
Training service dogs to assist returning veterans who sustained disabling combat injuries.
Fisher House, the home where families of injured returning service members can stay while they undergo medical treatment.
Clothing and backpack drives for disadvantaged local youth.
Clothing and food distribution drives for Burlington County's homeless or home-insecure families.
Prepare and serving dinners to families at Ronald McDonald House.
We are major donors to PolioPlus, the worldwide campaign to eradicate polio.
Financial support for local scouts and their Eagle Scout projects.
Building a nature garden for Cedar Run Wildlife Center.
Corporate sponsorships.
We have limited opportunities for corporate and private donor sponsorships to display their names on Burlington County Field of Honor printed materials and large banners at the field. To learn more about these opportunities, contatc David Forward at David@DaveForward.com
Donations may be made at the drop box in Freedom Park, or directly to the Medford Sunrise Rotary.
Medford Sunrise Rotary
With grateful hearts we are remembering all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. A virtual tour of the Burlco Field of Honor at Freedom Park in Township of Medford, New Jersey. May we never forget that freedom isn't free. #DestinationMedford #America #MedfordNJ
Freedom Sponsors
609.923.0590
or 609-284-4440
Stars & Stripes Sponsors
Carmined@reliantlandservices.com
or 609-304-2705
The Burlington County Field of Honor ® is a memorable, inspiring display that honors the heroes who have touched our lives. The Field of Honor, organized by Medford Sunrise Rotary, honors those who served our nation and our community not only in uniform to keep the nation safe but this year with a special focus on healthcare workers and those who provide essential service during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Beginning on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and lasting all week until Friday, May 28th, visitors to Medford’s Freedom Park will be greeted by a sea of full-size American flags fluttering in the breeze. 2019 was the first for the Rotary-sponsored Burlington County Field of Honor, and the intention was to allow people to recognize and pay tribute to hometown heroes across the county - veterans, active military, first responders, etc., through sponsorship of a flag. In 2019, hundreds of local citizens walked through the field of flags, arranged in perfect symmetrical rows, with each flag bearing the name and service details of a hometown hero who served in uniform.
Each night at sunset, the names and areas of service of each one of those heroes was solemnly read to a nightly gathering of community members and a bugler played taps as the sun then set over the 219 flags, gently fluttering in the breeze.
Because of COVID-19, 2020 was not a typical year. Medford Sunrise Rotary decided that social distancing rules required people from congregating among the rows of flags. Thus it arranged a "drive-thru" display at Freedom Park featuring over 200 flags. Instead of having the sponsors propose names of individuals who were then commemorated on a specific flag, the 2020 display pays tribute to all veterans (those still living and those who have died), active military and first responders and healthcare professionals who serve our community on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis.
Even without needing to leave their vehicles, visitors to Medford’s Freedom Park can now experience this patriotic panorama of red, white and blue. In the words of one visitors, “Once you have experienced the Burlington County Field of Honor®, you will never forget it.”
Medford Sunrise Rotary is part of a global network of business and community leaders dedicated to community service, elimination of hunger, disease and suffering, and to peace. “The global Rotary motto of “Service Above Self” exemplifies the brave men and women whom we will be honoring on the Burlington County Field of Honor®,” said Chris Forward, Medford Sunrise Rotary president for 2020-21. “The men and women who serve as first responders in all weather and conditions; the people in military uniforms who serve today by putting our country first, and our heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice when their nation called them into service—these are our heroes who are living examples of Service Above Self. And this year, we're also proud to pay tribute to healthcare providers and essential workers in the fight against COVID-19.
Any proceeds from the 2021 Burlington County Field of Honor® will be given to charities, with a special focus on those that serve veterans and advocate peace.
For further details, please contact one of the Medford Sunrise Rotarians named below.
Benefiting Charities:
Medford Sunrise Rotary Foundation
Hosted By:
Medford Sunrise Rotary Club
Local Organizing Committee:
Project Chair: David C. Forward
Fundraising Treasurer Chair: Dan Padden
Public Relations Chair: Rich Rickards