1,776 flags for awareness

American flags swaying in the ocean breeze blanketed the hilltop of Castaways Park on Friday afternoon as a crowd gathered to honor and memorialize American service men and women. Through Monday at noon, the 1,776 flags are transforming the leisure park into a “Field of Honor.”

The Field of Honor was erected by The Exchange Club of Newport Harbor in recognition of approaching Memorial Day. The club, whose members are primarily 70- to 90-year-old veterans of the Armed Forces, put on a dedication ceremony Friday afternoon that included a Color Guard presentation, retiring of the colors, address by Newport Beach Mayor Keith Curry, a helicopter flyover by Newport Beach and Costa Mesa police departments and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Vietnam veteran R.B. Alexander gave the keynote address.

“I have war stories; we all do,” said Alexander, looking out at the crowd of community members, current service men and women and veterans.

Alexander stressed the importance of appreciating these stories and the local people behind them.

“Each of us has the opportunity to plant a seed [of gratitude] when we thank our policemen and when we thank our servicemen we see in the airport,” he said.

As his speech ended, fathers turned to hug sons. In the fields around the dedication, families searched for flags bearing the names of loved ones.

For $45, the public is invited to purchase a commemorative flag. Each flag has a yellow ribbon fashioned around its pole with name and service details of a U.S. service person. Some families have taped or tied a picture of their son or daughter to their pole.

Maps at an information booth and docents stationed around the hilltop help families locate flags.

By early Friday afternoon, 900 had been sold.

“Originally, this started out as a fundraising project. Since we put up the flags, we’ve realized, hey, this isn’t a mere fundraiser. It’s an awareness thing. Young men and women are sacrificing their lives and nobody is thinking about it,” said Ed Romeo, a Korean War vet, former president of the exchange club and co-chair of the event.

“It’s hitting me personally,” Romeo said. “A woman walked up to me yesterday as we were putting up the flags and said she wanted to donate a flag to a young man. She showed me a picture of this handsome young man.”

Romeo paused, fighting back tears.

“I asked her where he is now,” he continued.

Romeo paused again: “He was blown up in Iraq.”

Today and Sunday, flag dedications will continue to take place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Each night, taps will be played at sunset.

The closing ceremony for the Field of Honor will be at noon Monday.