“Who’s Your Hero?”

Those visiting the 14^th annual Murrieta Field of Honor will have an opportunity to recognize their heroes in an awe-inspiring site with 2,022 full-sized American flags on display in Murrieta’s Town Square Park, November 5 until November 12.

Each year, the Field recognizes heroes –those who served or are serving in the United States armed forces, law enforcement, fire and other first responder posts, plus personal heroes.   In addition to the 2,022 flags available for dedication to personal heroes, the Field features sections for Medal of Honor recipients, Local Heroes (those from Riverside and San Bernardino counties, who have given their lives for this country since 2003), historical flags, a flag dedicated to those who perished in 9/11, state flags and a patriotic chalk walk.

Opening ceremonies for the 2022 Field of Honor will honor First Responders, including the Murrieta fire and rescue and police departments.  This is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 5.  In addition, there will be entertainment featuring Murrieta Valley Unified School District students and students from Norris Performing Arts Center.  Local and state officials will speak.

A Military Family Resource Expo will feature vendors who offer services and products of interest to military families will be available that day as well.  The Expo is being organized by Milvet.

The Murrieta Field of Honor, featuring thousands of American flags, will be on display Nov. 5-12, in Town Square Park.
Photo by Doreen Tate, Murrieta Rotarian.

The Field of Honor is presented as a community service by the Rotary Club of Murrieta in partnership with the City of Murrieta and the New Generation Rotary Club of Temecula Valley.  The Field of Honor is held in the newly renovated park, located just two blocks off I-15, and stretching from City Hall at Jefferson and Kalmia streets, to the Murrieta Library.  The display is free and open to all.

As the flags are being placed in perfect rows in the park early on Saturday, November 5, artists participating in the Al Vollbrecht Rotary Chalk Walk will be creating patriotic works of art on the sidewalks surrounding the park.

A salute to the United States Marines on the 247th birthday will be held on Thursday, November 10.  Murrieta’s popular Veterans Day parade will be held on Friday, November 11.  A candlelight concert with Murrieta middle school students is planned for Wednesday night, a Boy Scouts Final Flag Salute ceremony on Thursday evening.

“Murrieta Rotary is so honored to present this spectacular event as a gift to our Southwest Riverside community,” said John Brown, 2022-23 president of the Club.  “And we are especially thankful for our Field of Honor sponsors who not only make this event possible but also make it possible for Rotary to fund many significant projects throughout the year.”

The Field of Honor’s Organizing Committee is led by President Nominee Rob Haskins and Past President Lou Ellen Ficke.  The planning committee started meeting early this year.

Each American flag is three by five feet on an eight foot pole and can be purchased for $35.  They can be purchased here , until Friday, Nov. 4 or by going to the Field of Honor during the week it is on display.  Each sponsored flag is tagged with the name of the honoree and rank, service or other designation.  Those who have flags from previous years that are in good condition can have them reposted for $10.

Flag purchasers can pick up their flags on Saturday, Nov. 12, and from 9 a.m. until noon on Sunday, Nov. 13.

Proceeds from the 2022 Field of Honor will benefit the City’s Veterans’ Memorial and community projects like the Club’s annual teacher grants, scholarships, and speech and music contests and more, all funded by the Rotary Club of Murrieta Foundation. Nonprofit groups affiliated with the Field of Honor who 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, hear explanations about the displays and complete class assignments.

Full Schedule of Events

Saturday, November 5th

10:00am  Opening ceremonies honor first responders.

9:00am – 5:00pm   Al Vollbrecht Rotary Chalk Walk artists developing patriotic images

10:00am – 2:00pm   Military Family Resource Expo

Sunday, November 6th

9:00am – 5:00pm  Al Vollbrecht Rotary Chalk artists developing patriotic images

Monday, November 7th

Murrieta Rotary Club’s Veterans Lunch.  By invitation only

Monday, November 7th – 10th

9:00am – 11:00am Student field trips

Wednesday, November 9th

6:00pm  Candlelight Concert features choirs from the Murrieta middle schools; reading of “Letters from War” by local artists.

Thursday, November 10th

12:00pm  Marine Corps Birthday celebration – open to the public

5:00pm – Boy Scouts conduct Final Salute flag retirement

Friday, November 11th

10:00am – 12:00pm  City of Murrieta’s Veterans Day Parade, concluding at the Field of Honor

Saturday, November 12th

9:00am –  5:00pm  Flag Pick-ups

Sunday, November 13th

9:00am – 12:00pm  Flag Pick-ups

The Rotary Club of Murrieta was chartered on April 28, 1992.  The club is involved in many international and community projects, in cooperation with Rotary International, which has as its theme “Service Above Self.”  Club meetings are held Mondays (excepting holidays) at noon at Richie’s Diner, 40651 Murrieta Hot Springs Road, in Murrieta.