Hundreds of American flags will be on display at Gaithersburg’s Bohrer Park during Memorial Day weekend. The annual event, known as Flags for our Heroes, honors members of the armed services, healthcare workers, first responders, family members, doctors, teachers, coaches, mentors, and community leaders.
This year marks the 11th anniversary of the exhibit of eight-foot tall American flags. Two local Rotary Clubs organize the event with support from the city of Gaithersburg.
A person or organization sponsors each of the 750 flags. Residents and businesses can honor their personal heroes by sponsoring a flag. Each flag honors a person who has made a difference in someone’s life.
This is an opportunity to honor a personal hero, a loved one, a friend, or someone who is serving or has served in the military. The cost to sponsor a flag is $50. Each flag will display an honoree medallion with the name of a hero. After Memorial Day weekend, sponsors will receive the medallions.
The opening ceremony takes place on Saturday, May 25, at 11 a.m.The organizers will display the flags until noon on Monday, May 27, when they will remove them.
Rotary Club members will be present all weekend, and members of local Scout troops will guard the field at night. The Scouts will hold a flag retirement ceremony on Sunday, May 26, at 6:30 p.m. to dispose of tattered flags. The public can bring their flags for dignified disposal. The organizers will light the field of flags at night.
Proceeds from the event will benefit local initiatives supported by the Rotary Clubs.
Photo courtesy Flags For Our Heroes.
