The Bridgewater Congregational Church hosted the Field of Flags from June 19th to July 12th, 2009. Each flag represents one American casualty in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. When the Field of Flags was first dedicated on October 23, 2005, by the Somers Congregational Church (Somers, Connecticut), there were 2,231 flags, one for each American casualty in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Very sadly, as of July 12th, 2009, the number of casualties had reached 5,056. 

Click here to read the story of how this poignant and powerful tribute to the fallen soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan originated at the Somers Congregational Church.

Set-up
On Friday morning, June 19th, two members of the Somers Congregational Church, where the Field of Flags originated, brought us the flags, the book and big signboard of all the names of the fallen soldiers. Many of our church members and friends came to help set up the 5,015 flags for the memorial tribute.

Reading of the Names
and Dedication Service
Beginning at 9:00 on Saturday morning, June 27th, pairs of volunteers came in half-hour shifts to stand by the flags and read the names of each and every fallen U.S. soldier. They took turns and throughout the day, more volunteers came to take up the reading. At 4:00 that afternoon, we had a very moving service outside by the Field of Flags. With Jonathan Henken playing the bagpipes, there were prayers of Christian, Jewish and Muslim traditions, the hymns “O Beautiful for Spacious Skies” and “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” and the reading of the poem “In Flanders Fields.”

A Very Sad Night
Sometime between 10:00-11:00 on the night of June 30th, vandals drove through the Field of Flags, destroying around 300 of them. Peter and Kim were horrified to discover the heinous act not long after it happened. Peter called the police and Trooper Tom Blake of the Southbury barracks came right away. He was as appalled as we were, and with the deepest respect for the American flag, couldn’t stand seeing them on the ground and began picking them up with Peter, Kim, Faye and Michael joining him.

That night Peter sent an email to members of our Field of Flags Committee, but before they’d even received it, two of our church members drove by early the next morning and saw the devastation. They immediately set about replacing the flags and the field was restored by 10:00. The only sign that such a travesty had occurred was the tire tracks across the lawn.

When bad things happen, it's a chance for the good to shine...
On the morning of July 4th, I went over to the church around 11:00 for the sobering task of updating the casualty lists. Faye and I were in the big room talking for a while. Suddenly Faye glanced out the window and exclaimed "Look!" We saw a piper in full dress walking across the lawn in front of the church toward the flags. We snuck out the door to catch a glimpse and saw him raise his pipes as he got closer to the flags . . .

He stood facing the Field of Flags and played for about 10 minutes . . . Amazing Grace, America the Beautiful, and more —not for an audience, just for the flags . . . the soldiers. He didn't know we were there. Just a few others were as fortunate as we were and came along to witness his lone tribute. One visitor, Darcy Sternberg, had a camera and took the wonderful photo (to the right). He just played and played. It was so beautiful, so moving. When he finished, we talked with him for a long time and thanked him profusely. His name is Patrick Maguire and he’d read about the desecration in the paper and promised himself that he would come by here and play. I told him I felt that the flags had just been re-dedicated and he said that meant a lot to him. As it does to all of us.

But the story doesn’t end there. Later the same day, Peter and I were in our backyard working in the garden. A car drove in the driveway and a man walked up our back walk. “Are you Pastor Hammond?” he asked, and handed Peter an envelope with a donation of $500 toward the replacement of the damaged flags and the continuation of this moving and traveling tribute.

July 14, 2009

Dear Friends,
Having graced our church lawn and our lives for three weeks, the Field of Flags has moved on but will not soon be forgotten.

On the morning of June 19th I looked out our window and across the vast green lawn that stretches from the parsonage along the side of our church and rests under those arching ancient trees that stood as witnesses to so many lives and so much history.  On the evening of July 12th I gazed out at the same scene.  But, for the 24 days that fell in between, it was a very different scene and those arching trees stood as witnesses to 5,015 lives – a number that grew to 5,056 – represented in the Field of Flags that filled our vast green lawn.

It became a sacred space, a hallowed ground for a time, as people slowed their cars to look upon it and countless others interrupted their travel and left their cars to walk among the flags, read the names of fallen soldiers, and enter their words of tribute in the guest book (reprinted on pages 4 and 5). We had visitors passing through and stopping by from as far away as Texas, Virginia, Vermont and New Jersey, in addition to towns near and far in Connecticut.

This endeavor by our congregation strikes me as no other in my memory in the way it has moved us and so many others in neighboring communities and has surely touched those now serving in Iraq and Afghanistan with the photographs sent by parents and spouses.

The Field of Flags stood here and will continue to stand in other places, as a memorial to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.  Its power is in the honor given to each and every individual life – no one is forgotten.  It has called to my mind similar scenes in the Vietnam Memorial and the rows of white crosses in Normandy and Gettysburg.  This field of flags standing in silent memory and tribute, as in those other places, could be overwhelming in its representation of so many lives cut short.  Sometimes we put out of our minds thoughts and images that overwhelm us.  But let us not forget these men and women. 

Rather, let us remember them and hold them in prayer along with those they leave behind.  Let us pray for and dedicate ourselves to work for that time foretold by Isaiah and Micah when, “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”

With Gratitude and Hope,
Peter

Field of Flags Visitors' Book

Both striking and moving. Thank you for your efforts.

I am glad the GI Bill will cover college expenses to the children who lost a loved one who gave their all for us and freedom!!!

I drove by at 11:00 last night and the flags brought tears to my eyes. I came back 12 hours later to take photos of the Field of Flags.
 
Very solemn and remindful distinguished display for our Service men and women who had died for a cause of freedom for others. Thank you very much. My son and daughter-in-law are Major and Lt. Colonel in the USAF. I’m going to send them the photos I took of the display. They will really appreciate it.
 
In another 6 days, it will be four years since our son’s name was added to this solemn list. I am pleased to find the display and pleased that our Bridgewater neighbors honor these fallen.
 
What a wonderful display. It makes me proud to be part of such a wonderful country. Never forget those who gave their lives so that we have freedom.
 
The dedication and heroism of our troops is staggering and awe-inspiring. Let us never forget and let us never relinquish the freedoms they died for, from enemies within or outside our great country.
 
This was very moving for me. I have a son in Afghanistan and this really touched me. Unfortunately some of these flags represent soldiers I have known. This tribute will help us never to forget the people in the Armed Forces who gave their lives so we can live freely. I have photographed this and will send it along to my son. Keep all these people in our prayers. God Bless America, and thank you.
 
All I can say is thank you and thank God for your ever being! I am so proud and will never forget any one who has given so very much. OUR REAL HEROES!

God Bless America.
 
You will never be forgotten  — and will be kept in our prayers for you and your families. We are proud of all of you.
 
My heartfelt sadness for all our loved ones’ family. God be with you all. God bless our awesome country.
 
For all of you BRAVE men and women who fought for our country, our love and appreciation and gratitude are forever yours.
 
God bless you. Forever.
 
A very moving experience. Thank you.
 
How Great Thou Art says so much more than just the words of a hymn — Thank you to all those who are represented here.
 
Brought tears to our eyes to lose this many.
 
I salute you and thank you.  (SFC-Army)
 
What a brave, touching concept.
 
It is with sadness and pride that we view this daunting display of bravery and courage. Thank you to all those represented here . . and those who continue to serve.
 
It’s beautiful, we had to come back and take a picture. Thank you.
 
You have always been in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep this sad reminder going.
 
This was a really nice tribute to see. I drive by here everyday and I was surprised to find this nice memorial. I’m a veteran myself so I know what it means to serve. These men and women paid the ultimate price to serve this great country of ours and it means a lot to see them get this kind of recognition. Thank you for this. Semper Fi. (USMC Honorably Discharged)
 
What a wonderful idea. Thank you to all that worked on this project. God Bless America.

Very moving. A wonderful gesture on the part of the church.
 
An incredible display of the American heart. Thank you for this moving experience. A symbol of American ideals.
 
It brought me to tears.
 
Thank God for people like you who do not forget the kids who fought for our freedom.
 
Very nice job. Very Touching. Semper Fi!
 
Thank you for remembering the 5,015 who have given their lives. I can hear them say “Remember us” and we do. Your homage in flags is very moving.

Wonderful to see that this display is agreeable with the community here.
We tried to do something similar in Auburn, Alabama. We were told that we were “giving comfort to terrorists.” Wonderful display. Thank you for remembering these soldiers and these “forgotten” wars. Peace. (SPC, Connecticut Army National Guard)

Tomorrow [July 4th] we once again celebrate our freedom won by such as these. Heroes all! (Lt. Colonel USAF)

My heartfelt prayers for all these wonderful heroes who gave their lives for this great country of ours. God bless you and the U.S.A. (grandmother of two army grandsons)

God bless you all and thank you.

Thank you. You inspire us. May all of you be experiencing now the everlasting peace of your highest ambitions. May we love each other better because of you.

Thank you!

We remember your sacrifices today and always.

Thank you for such a profound remembrance this 4th of July.

What a wonderful tribute to our very brave men and women.

As we recognize and celebrate the freedom our country provides, we must stop and prayerfully thank all of you for making this freedom possible. Your names are in our hearts — always.

Amen.

The most beautiful tribute one could ever imagine. Our prayerful thanks to your recognition of all those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Thank you.

Thanks for all you have done for our country.

Very touching. We are honored to have had these soldiers fight for us.
What a beautiful reminder that freedom is not free. May God bless these men and women and give their families peace, knowing that they did not die in vain.

Thank you!

A gust of wind waves farewell. With appreciation...

Wow!

Very impressive each time I see it. God Bless America.

Nice tribute. They are heroes.

So touching and so sad.

How dear to us the many and proud, how courageous their difficult sacrifices to the families and friends. Remember our hearts are heavy too. “Freedom isn’t free.” With much love and hope..

Thanks for keeping our country free!

Eternal rest grant our military.

We owe you so much and will never take it for granted.

To all the brave men and women who have given their lives for our freedom — we thank you. You are in our hearts. To Major Steve Reich, thank you. You were a great friend. My brother came home safe and I thank you always.

A wonderful touching memorial. Thank the Lord our son serving in
Afghanistan arrived home safely.