Above / The Naperville community is hosting the Field of Honor on Rotary Hill to recognize service men and women on Veterans Day for the fourth time. Previously, Rotary Hill was graced with 2,009 American flags in 2009, 2,012 flags in 2012 and 2,015 flags in 2015. (PN File Photo 2009)
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.
Note also that Tuesday’s flag pickup also has been moved. Pick up flags from 9AM to noon on Sat., Nov. 16. Thank you.
Updated, Nov. 8, 2019 / Thanks for spreading the word to families who may want to honor a Veteran with the purchase of an American flag ($40) to grace Rotary Hill from Nov. 1 through Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2019.
Pause to remember Veterans Day at 11AM Nov. 11 aka ’11-11-11′
For 2019, Naperville’s Veterans Day ceremony usually at Veterans Park on Gartner Road will take place at Rotary Hill along the Riverwalk.
Beginning at 10:30AM with a toll of the carillon bells toll and music by the Naperville Municipal Band, 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 as well as 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.
Originally Posted , Oct. 7, 2019 / 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, from November 1-11.
Displaying 2,019 American flags on Rotary Hill during this event creates a stunning tribute to our military and their families and also raises money through Operation Support Our Troops-America to assist veterans and their families.
This year the theme of the Healing Field of Honor is “Remembering a Century of Heroes and Heritage,” commemorating three historic events: the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, which effectively ended the first World War, the 100th anniversary of the formation of the American Legion and the 75th anniversary of the founding of Naperville’s Judd Kendall VFW Post #3873.
The flag display will be officially opened on Friday, November 1 with an opening ceremony and will close on Veterans Day, November 11 at 5PM with the playing of “Taps.” The community is invited to purchase a flag ($40), 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 Leap of Faith, a program through Operation Support Our Troops that helps families who have lost a military service member.
‘They Shall Not Grow Old’ will pay tribute, too, at NNHS!
A special addition to this year’s remembrance of World War I is a free showing of the Warner Brothers/Peter Jackson film, “They Shall Not Grow Old” at 6:45PM on Monday, November 4 at Naperville North High School Auditorium, located at 899 N. Mill Street. This film is a stirring remake of old footage of life in the trenches, adding modern effects and carefully researched dialogue to present the realities of World War I more clearly in a film than ever before.
Special tribute for World War I Service in Riverwalk Café
In addition to viewing or walking through the field of flags on Rotary Hill, visitors may stop at the bottom of the hill near the Riverwalk Café to see a tribute to the seven men from Naperville who gave their lives serving in World War I. Inside the Café there will be more information and displays of military and historical artifacts.
Tours of Moser Tower with the 72-bell carillon
Naperville Park District will offer Carillon tours to view the Healing Field from the observation deck from 10AM-4PM on Saturdays and Sundays during the event (November 2, 3, 9 and 10) and from noon-4PM on Veterans Day— Monday, November 11. 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.
Rotary Hill has hosted the Healing Field of Honor in 2009, 2012 and 2015, raising funds for Fisher House at Edward Hines, Jr. Veterans Affairs Hospital and the Allen J. Lynch Foundation, which supports research on traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.
