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A Field of Flags for Healing and Honor in divided times

by Dennis Anderson
special to Aerotech News

In a time of national division over politics
and policing, the COVID-19 pandemic and
its devastating impact on lives and economy,
it’s worth a salute and a shout-out the City of
Palmdale for bringing the “Healing and Honor
Field” to Pelona Vista Park to run from Nov. 1
through Nov. 11.
For the past decade-plus, in the week lead-
ing up to Veterans Day, Palmdale has hosted
the Antelope Valley Mobile Vietnam Veterans
Memorial, most often in the Palmdale Amphi-
theater at Marie Kerr Park. But the conditions
of COVID-19 have ruled out crowds of the size
that rallied to the AV Wall until a safer time.
We have more challenges than ever bring-
ing people together, with the pandemic keeping
friends and family at a distance, and with trou-
bles of the moment threatening to divide us.
The “Healing and Honor Field” is designed
to bring people together.
With the Palmdale City Council’s backing,
City Manager J.J. Murphy organized a project
he had seen lift spirits in Pennsylvania. The
“Healing and Honor Field” features 2,020 of
our nation’s flags — the Stars and Stripes —
each atop 7 1/2 foot poles in ordered rows,
“creating a massive vista of red, white and blue
that is an experience hard to describe, and not
to be forgotten,” the city says. “Each flag will
tell a story and honor those who, by their dedi-
cated service, have become our heroes.”
Murphy is a retired Air Force major who de-
ployed in the Global War on Terror, and Mayor
Steve Hofbauer is a retired firefighter-paramed-
ic, both still serving in a different fashion.
“In Pennsylvania, along with the American
flags, there were flags for all the allies that
joined us after 9/11,” Palmdale City Manager
J.J. Murphy said. “You saw the flags of the
United Kingdom, France, and all the allies that
joined with us. Altogether, more than 3,000 11-day run of the Field of Honor will be visible sweeps gently down to the park that is often healingfield.org/event/palmdale20/
flags and it was inspiring.” from the highway, more than 2,000 American used for soccer matches in happier times. The purchased flags will have messages af-
And we could use some inspiration right flags. Stacia Nemeth chairs the Palmdale Planning fixed by their purchasers to honor those serv-
now. The flags will have on-site security, and be Commission, is a Blue Star Mother, and also ing, or who have served in the military, or law
Pelona Vista Park is at 37800 Tierra Subida open daily for visits from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. un- serves on the AV Wall Committee. She said enforcement, fire/EMT, or medical personnel,
Avenue in Palmdale, and is visible from the der safety guidelines. there will be opportunities for volunteering for the health care heroes delivering care. At the
Antelope Valley Freeway driving south be- The park offers a wonderful vista, because the project, and people make can contact by
tween Palmdale Boulevard and Avenue S. The it has an upper level parking lot atop a hill that visiting www.cityofpalmdale.org and www. See FLAGS, Page 2

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