The way the Merced community annually honors veterans, both the fallen and the living, is somber and moving while being bold and awash in color at the same time.
It is a memorial and a celebration.
You can see for yourself when Merced Sunrise Rotary members and volunteers place hundreds of American flags—each flag representing a veteran, active-duty military or first responder—on the broad front lawn at Merced College on the corner of M Street and Yosemite Avenue for the 12th Annual Field of Honor on Nov. 9-16.
The people behind Merced Sunrise Rotary, the field’s official hosts, along with presenting sponsors Joseph Gallo Farms and the Peter J. Gallo Memorial Foundation, are as passionate about the effort in Year 12 as they were in 2013 when it began.
“I am filled with immense gratitude for the support and dedication our community has shown in making this event a heartfelt tribute to our veterans, active-duty military, and first responders,” said Merced Sunrise Rotary President Aggie Freeman, retired Captain, U.S. Navy Corps of Nurses.
“The Field of Honor is not just an event—it is a symbol of the strength, unity, and compassion that make Merced such a special place to call home.”
Eighth graders from the Merced City School District will tour the field and the college Nov. 12-15. Lead docent and retired U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major Jesus Deniz is in charge of taking each group of youngsters through the local fallen heroes section of the field and talking to them about service, duty and honor.
“I tell them that freedom isn’t free, that it is paid for by those who are no longer with us,” Deniz said. “I show them the placards and tell them that some of these veterans were only six years older than they are now when they passed away. Veterans gave their lives for us without even knowing us.”
The Field of Honor experience is full of such meaningful, teachable moments like this for visitors and volunteers alike. For example, Blue Devil athletes have been among the annual setup and tear-down volunteers—the Rotarians will rely on roughly 300 volunteers total this year—for years now.
Freeman added that, for the first time, the official flag display representing each branch of the military will include the U.S. Merchant Marine flag, thanks to an enthusiastic push from a community member.
This year, as in preceding years, Merced Sunrise Rotary will display the same number of flags to match the current year: The goal is to have 2,024 flags for Veterans Day 2024. Volunteers will erect new flags on Nov. 8 and add “re-fly” flags on Nov. 9.
It costs $35 to secure a new flag to honor a loved one. The fee pays for a flag, the pole and mounting equipment, and an identification tag. Repeat participants can “re-fly” flags for $10 each.
Run for the Fallen
The Annual Run for the Fallen will be held on Nov. 10. The run’s opening ceremony will start at 8:45 a.m., and runners will take their marks, get set, and go from the Field of Honor site at 9 a.m.
Runners must register (https://bit.ly/3YWRllF) but there is no fee. You can choose a 5K (one loop around the campus) or 10K route (two loops) and there are multiple age groups for men and women in which to compete. Registration is open until Nov. 9 at 6 p.m.
Anyone wishing to pay their respects in a different way can donate to Sunrise Rotary (https://www.mercedsunriserotary.org/). One hundred percent of donations turn into grants to help local organizations that serve veterans. Freeman said one of their most recent grants went to Winton VFW Post 7792 to cover emergency needs for veterans in crisis.
Merced’s Field of Honor is a destination. There, anyone can gather to remember the sacrifices that the few have made, and continue to make, for the many of our country.
Dustin Thompson is Acting Director of Human Resources at Merced College, and is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who also serves as an advisor for the college’s Veterans Resource Center.
“This experience restores faith in humanity, I think,” Thompson said. “Although we see plenty of division in society right now, in reality we have so much more in common. And you see that in the Field of Honor. It’s a beautiful sight.”
Questions about Field of Honor activities can be directed to Darrell Cherf, a retired U.S. Air Force Veteran and the 2024 Field of Honor Chair, at 209-777-8787.
