The Rotary Club of Danville’s Field of Honor pays tribute to the heroes

At a 9 a.m. ceremony on Thursday – held a little earlier this year because of the heat – the club performed the closing ceremony for the field, which had been under construction since Memorial Day.

The Field of Honor pays tribute to the region’s first responders, military personnel, medical personnel and special heroes.

It was about 11 years ago when Rotary member Charlie Abercrombie brought the idea from Wyoming.

Originally flown on what was once an open space next to the iconic White Mill building, the airfield was moved to Langston School last year due to construction on the riverfront park.

Even on America’s birthday, the sounds of construction at Danville’s historic school blended with patriotic tunes from bagpiper Tim Carpenter.

More than 800 flags were part of this year’s display, Jack Morning, treasurer and past president of the Danville Rotary Club, told the Register & Bee before the closing ceremony. The purchase of the 3-by-5-foot flags serves as a fundraising tool for the Danville Rotary Club.

For those unfamiliar with the meeting minutes, Tom Gay, president of the Rotary Club of Danville, explained the proceedings to the several dozen people.

“First we ring the Rotary Bell,” he said as a loud ringing sound came from the large gold-colored object.

Danville City Council member Sherman Saunders was the keynote speaker at Thursday morning’s event.

Saunders “is the true definition of a public servant,” Morning said at his induction.

Saunders has been a council member since 1996 and served as mayor from 2008 to 2016.

His family has deep military roots. His grandfather was in World War I and his father served in World War II.

Saunders himself was in the Army during the Vietnam War, while his brother also served in the Air Force during the same war.

His cousin, Timothy Saunders of Ringgold, was one of the 17 people killed in the USS Cole bombing in 2000.

“So my family made a sacrifice,” he told the crowd on that warm morning, made a little more bearable by a light breeze.

However, he said no one in his family was bitter.

“Disappointed, but not bitter, because it was for America,” he said. “And I’m very, very proud of that.”

Crossing the field gave the council member goosebumps, he said, pointing to his arms.

“Today we talk about heroes,” he said, the theme of the field.

“Heroes come in many forms,” ​​he continued. “They are the men and women who, for generations, paved the way for this great nation and gave us the rights, privileges, freedoms and opportunities we enjoy today.”

In the healthcare field, doctors, nurses and caregivers who remain “brave and strong” are among a long list of heroes. However, the definition of a hero is not limited to these roles.

“They are also our grandparents, parents, siblings who raise and support us and teach us values ​​that shape our character,” he said, also describing neighbors, colleagues and friends “who stand by us through thick and thin” as heroes.

Often it is not the real heroes who make the headlines, he said, and no grand gesture is needed to earn that title.

“Sometimes being a hero means showing up, offering a helping hand, or standing up for what’s right even when it’s hard,” he told attendees. “Our heroes are everyday people who have a profound impact on our lives through small acts of kindness and bravery.”

They are people who inspire, guide and help others navigate what Saunders called the complexities of life.

“In times of uncertainty and hardship, the presence of heroes becomes even more important,” he said. “They give us hope and remind us that there is good in the world.”

That should never be forgotten, said Saunders.

“Heroes provide a sense of security and stability in a world that can often feel chaotic and unpredictable. It is comforting to know that there are people out there willing to make sacrifices for the common good,” he continued in his speech.

“We’re going through a lot right now, in America, in our world, but there are still people like you who stand tall, don’t bend, and say we’re going to get through this because our country is led by the Godhead,” he said. “And God has never made a mistake.”

He called the display at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Cleveland Street an “awe-inspiring sight” and said each flag was assigned a name to honor a hero in a person’s life.

“These flags remind us of their contribution and their sacrifice,” he said, pointing out that heroes solve problems and give hope.

“We must never give up hope,” he said.

Morning said the field will be up until Saturday when Rotary comes. Anyone who bought a flag is invited to take it home before Rotary members collect it Saturday morning.

“If your hero is alive, reach out and thank him,” Morning said. “If your hero is dead, pray for him.”