Field of Flags honors those who serve

By Patsy Stoddard

The annual Ferron Field of Flags was held as part of the Peach Days celebration.
More than 300 flags dotted the park and hill just in Ferron. The Emery County Sheriff’s Office supplied the lights to keep the display illuminated during the night.
The morning of Sept. 9 brought everyone together early for the annual observance to honor those who passed away on Sept. 11, 2001 as well as veterans of wars and the military past and present.
Mayor Trent Jackson opened the program greeting and thanking all those for coming.
Mayor Jackson gave a tribute to Jerry Thomas and presented Toinette Thomas with a plaque to honor Jerry and his contribution to the Field of Flags. During all the years of the Field of Flags, Jerry was the one who put the flags up with precision.
Mayor Jackson said Jerry was always there to turn the lights on for the flags. He was a Vietnam Veteran. He made sure every year the flags were up and even last year as he battled cancer he still helped get the flags in place. Toinette said she would like to thank Clifford Snow for being Jerry’s friend and for helping him with the flags while he was sick. “Jerry loved his nation and he loved Ferron. He wanted to put the flags up so people would come to Ferron to see the flags.”
Mayor Jackson said, “We very much appreciate the work of Jerry.”
Sam Wilbanks offered a word of prayer on the gathering. The American Legion Post number 42 presented the colors. A special choir was put together for the Field of Flags program. They sang Yankee Doodle.
Ladies from the American Legion auxiliary presented information on each of the wars fought in the United States and abroad. They listed the number of people killed, wounded and missing in action. Janice Snow, Jo Sansevero, Dixie Swasey, Jan Hess, Janet Petersen and Evelyn Huntsman were among the participants. Pat Behling said the Revolutionary War was fought because the colonists found themselves taxed without proper representation.
Jan Hess told of the War of 1812 with the British and how battles were fought in the eastern and central regions, there were 2,200 killed and 4,500 wounded and 15,000 other deaths related to battle.
The Mexican American war was fought over land borders. By the time this war was finished Mexico had lost one third of its land holdings including California, Nevada and present day Utah.
The Civil War was started due to simmering tensions over states rights and issues of slavery.
World War I and II were fought in Europe and Asia. New technologies came into play in these wars and they were fought on land, sea, air, beneath the sea. In World War I there were 113,342 killed with 204,002 wounded and 7,350 missing in action.
Evelyn Huntsman told how in World War II the war effected the civilians more than any other battle. There was genocide which killed over 16 million in the Jewish nation.
The Korean war was fought to stop the spread of communism. The United States teamed up to help South Korea against North Korea and communist China.
Jo Sansevero said the Vietnam War was the most unpopular war the United States was ever involved with. More than 60,000 Americans and 2 million Vietnamese died in the conflict.
Jan Petersen told of Sept. 11 when four planes were given a mission to attack the United States, three of those planes found their targets and the fourth was brought down by passengers in a field in Pennsylvania. More than 3,000 people were killed that day.
The second Saturday in September has been set aside by Ferron to honor those who died on Sept. 11. Original organizers included Adele Justice, Vicki Larsen and others. “They honor those who have sacrificed and those who have given a full measure of devotion and lost their lives in Service. “We honor those who step forward and say, ‘I will go, send me’ Thanks to all who serve,” said Jo Sansevero.
The choir sang the National Anthem, Dixieland, Johnny comes Marching Home, Battle Him of the Republic, Dream, Over There, God Bless America, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Unforgettable, This Land is your Land, Spinning Wheel, Battle Cry of Freedom and You’re a Grand Old Flag.
As each branch of the miltary’s anthem was played audience members were asked to stand and be recognized.
The post offered a 21 gun salute in honor of the fallen. Mandy Wilberg played TAPS and the colors were retired.
A prayer was offered by Pres. Randy O’Neil.