Above / Because of the snow delay at Rotary Hill, the flag installation was rescheduled to begin at 12PM noon Sun., Nov. 3, 2019. More than 50 individuals volunteered to help and 2,019 American flags were set in a record 52 minutes. Plan to visit the site for a glimpse of the Rotary Hill graced with Old Glory by day or by evening. The Field of Honor will be on display leading up to Veterans Day. Find more info at the Riverwalk Café regarding the Naperville Healing Field of Honor, ways to support programs for Operation Support Our Troops-America as well as World War I exhibits and other commemorative items that recognize Veterans.
Updated, Nov. 11, 2019 / In Naperville, today’s Veterans Day ceremony at 11AM will be moved indoors to the Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Center (305 Jackson Ave), 2nd floor “gymnasium” area.
UPDATE, Sun., Nov. 3 / Early Sunday, skies were overcast as four large pallets of Americans flags arrived at Rotary Hill. By noon, sunshine was overhead when more than 50 volunteers joined the staff from the Naperville Park District to set lengths of rebar to hold the 8-ft. poles for the American flags. According to Marty Walker, one of the event’s organizers, all flags were in place before 1PM.
Park District officials said they expected the setup to take about three hours. It took 52 minutes, record time. Thanks, volunteers!
Rotary Hill is located along the Riverwalk near Moser Tower, at 443 Aurora Avenue, across from Naperville Central High School near downtown Naperville.
UPDATE, Sat., Nov. 2 / The Naperville Field of Honor setup on Rotary Hill that was postponed by recent weather has been rescheduled for Sun., Nov. 3 starting at noon. Anyone interested in volunteering to assist with the field setup is asked to email Brad Wilson at bwilson@napervilleparks.org NOTE to Volunteers! An RSVP to volunteer is required as spots are limited. Thank you.
Due to the early onset of snow, Healing Field of Honor organizers have postponed the installation of flags on Rotary Hill for the 2019 Naperville Field of Honor.
The Park District is working with event organizers to monitor weather and Rotary Hill conditions to determine when turf conditions are safe enough for the flag installation to take place. Other events associated with the Field of Honor will be held as planned and previously communicated.
Other Scheduled Events
- Monday, November 4: Free showing of the Warner Brothers/Peter Jackson film, “They Shall Not Grow Old” at Naperville North High School Performing Arts Center, located at 899 N. Mill Street. Doors open at 6PM; opening remarks and the movie begin at 6:30PM.
- Monday, November 11: Naperville’s 2019 Veterans Day Ceremony – 10:30AM
At Moser Tower/Millenium Carillon – 443 Aurora Avenue Naperville 60540
Beginning with the Carillon bell toll and music by the Naperville Municipal Band at 10:30AM, the traditional ceremony begins at 11AM with recitation of the poem “In Flanders Fields,” VFW/American Legion Color Guard and Honor Guard exhibitions followed by addresses from USAF Brigadier General Mark Anderson and current and past VFW and American Legion Commanders, Field Of Honor’s co-chairmen, and more.
(Note: The public is encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather, and bring with them any items that may be helpful such as blankets, chairs, etc., to combat the likely chill in the weather.)
Historical and informational displays are available to view inside the Riverwalk Café at the base of
Rotary Hill, which will be open from 9AM – 5PM. Taps will be sounded live from atop the hill as a closing
of Veterans Day and remembrances of the 2019 Naperville Field Of Honor.
Once the Naperville Field of Honor is set up on Rotary Hill, the Riverwalk Café will offer a special menu during the event from 9AM-3PM on weekdays and 9AM-5PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Veterans and active duty military members will receive a 10 percent discount on non-alcoholic purchases at the Café, a free cup of hot coffee and $.50 coffee refills.
Moser Tower Tours
In addition, the Naperville Park District will offer Carillon tours to view the Field of Honor from the observation deck from 9AM-3PM on Saturdays and Sundays during the event and from noon-4PM on Veterans Day. Tour tickets cost $3 and will be sold at the Riverwalk Café. Veterans and active duty military members will receive a free ticket to tour the Carillon during the event.
Naperville Park District, in collaboration with the Naperville Healing Field Committee, will host the community’s fourth Healing Field of Honor at Rotary Hill, located at 443 Aurora Avenue. The community is invited to purchase a flag, dedicate a flag to a veteran, make a donation or become a sponsor of the event by visiting www.healingfield.org/Naperville19.
Funds raised in 2019 will support programs that assist veterans and their families through Operation Support Our Troops-America.
