The Wake County Field of Honor® will be held Friday, September 4, to Monday, September 7, 2020, at the Exchange Club of West Raleigh Baseball Complex at 830 Barringer Drive, Raleigh. The event will feature in-person and virtual options and will feature a field of more than 400 US flags in Raleigh flying in tribute to all veterans, first responders and medical professionals. The patriotic event is hosted by the Exchange Clubs of Wake County and admission is free.

Flags in the display may be dedicated to members of our armed forces, veterans, first responders, and medical professionals.  Identified by special tags, these flags may be sponsored for $35, and the flag with its tag will be received by sponsors as a memento of the event.  Proceeds will raise funds to support charitable programs of Wake County Exchange Clubs.

Flags may be purchased online at the Wake County Field of Honor® website: https://www.healingfield.org/event/raleigh20/ All state, local and federal COVID-19 requirements will be met during the conducting of the event, including limiting the number of persons on the field at any one time. The Wake County Field of Honor® is hosted by the Wake County Exchange Clubs. Attendance is free to the public.

This is a highly visual event with great opportunities for photojournalism and interviews:

Friday, September 4 – 11 AM – Volunteers set up flags and the first flag is placed. West Raleigh Baseball Complex at 830 Barringer Drive, Raleigh. The flags are dedicated to veterans including those currently serving, those who returned to home and family after service, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice leaving family, friends, and our nation to mourn. Also honored will be our police, firefighters, and EMS who serve and protect our communities as well as the medical professionals who have been on the front lines of efforts against COVID-19. Placing the first flag will mark the official opening of the Field of Honor. The names of those being memorialized and honored will be read. A moving start to the event and a perfect opportunity for interviews of volunteers and to highlight the event, which will be open 24 hours a day until 1 PM on Labor Day.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Sept 4-6 — Taps played nightly at sunset. An ideal opportunity to capture the essence of this event as the sun sets over the field of 400 US flags while Navy veteran William Lowe plays taps.

Saturday and Sunday, September 5-6 – Interview attendees, photo and video opportunities of the stunning patriotic display. More than 400 flags will be on display in the baseball complex, which will be lighted in the evening to allow 24-hour access. This is an excellent opportunity to interview attendees about what the US flag means to them or talk about the special individual they may be honoring. As Field of Honor Chairman Randy Hall says, “We invite the community to walk among the flags and be part of this special event. We think it will be part of the healing process for our country as we recover from the current medical crisis. This will be a moving tribute to those in the armed services, veterans, and first-responders. We’ve all seen the sacrifice of our medical professionals during this outbreak, so we think this will be a perfect way to salute them as well.”

Monday, September 7 – 10 AM – Commemorative ceremony. A commemorative ceremony, featuring dignitaries and a salute to all branches of the armed forces, will be held 10:00 AM Monday, September 7 (rain or shine). The program will feature keynote speaker North Carolina National Guard Brigadier General Allen Boyette, special music, and a color guard. This will be a stirring program with great photojournalism opportunities and quotes that will make for a great news package or article.

Program Details

Welcome – Master of Ceremony Ryan Pegarsch

Greetings From Exchange – National Exchange Club Regional Vice President W. David Johnson

Invocation – Pastor Joshua Johnston – Fairview Baptist Church

Posting of Colors – Boy Scout Troop 232

Pledge of Allegiance – Archie Hobbs, NC Exchange Club District President

Patriotic Music – Tara Culbreth, violinist

National Anthem – Buddy West

History of Field of Honor – Angie Stafford, President, Swift Creek Township Exchange

Recognition of Branches of Service – James Bowdish, President-Elect, West Raleigh Exchange

Keynote Speaker – Brigadier General Allen Boyette

Closing Remarks – Randy Hall   New Hope-Wilders Grove Exchange, Field of Honor Committee Chair

Retirement of Colors – Boy Scout Troop 202

Taps – William Lowe, West Raleigh Exchange, Navy Veteran

About Us – Exchange Clubs in Wake County include: The Exchange Club of Fuquay-Varina, The Exchange Club of New Hope Wilders Grove, The Exchange Club of North Raleigh, The Peak City Exchange Club of Apex, The Exchange Club of Raleigh, The Exchange Club of Swift Creek Township, and The Exchange Club of West Raleigh.

The National Exchange Club is the only service organization exclusively serving communities in the United States. More than 630 local clubs throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico provide individuals with opportunities to use their time and talents to benefit their local communities and the country as a whole. Exchange’s Core Values are family, community, and country.