The original flag display held in September of 2002 was a memorial event on the first anniversary to honor the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and to provide a safe, meaningful environment for visitors to reflect and heal. The positive motivation behind that first Healing Field in turn planted the seeds of awareness that have blossomed and grown to unite communities for purposes of healing on many different levels and for many different causes. The programs of the Healing Field Foundation have expanded beyond healing memorials to include moving tributes of honor, celebration, civic pride, education and more.
Themes of the individual community projects can reflect the need to unite in order to raise awareness and funds for victims of local or national disasters, to honor the military, first responders and veterans. Healing Field programs can assist communities to raise awareness and funds for important social issues such as hunger, clean water, literacy, domestic violence and child abuse as well as educate, motivate and elevate the American Spirit.
Programs of the Healing Field Foundation
Listed below are current programs with suggested ideas for event themes and purposes for raising funds and awareness using highly visible, emotionally moving temporary flag displays provided through the Healing Field Foundation. The possibilities for additional programs are only limited to the imagination and the need to raise awareness and funds for charitable causes; within the bounds of the Healing Field mission of being a non-political, non-protest and nonprofit public charity established to assist other charities.
Healing Field® flag displays are a memorial application of the Healing Field Foundation programs. Each flag representing one life and a million thanks. Whenever awareness for a cause, issue or event is needed in our country Healing Field® flag displays are a very effective visual reminder and fundraiser. Volunteers and communities unite to Remember, Honor and Heal with this positive and patriotic experience.
9/11
Began in 2002, as a way of honoring those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of 9/11/01, Fields continue to encourage unity, remembrance and healing. A Field of 3,000 American flags standing in perfect rows often with ribbons, photos and bios affixed are a striking and awe-inspiring, temporary memorials. Funds raised can support local scholarship programs, families of those that are currently serving in the military or those families of the fallen, families of fallen first responders or to provide needed equipment for local first responders.
Child Abuse Prevention Fields highlight the message that all Americans need to adopt a 0% tolerance for the abuse of America’s most innocent victims. Fields have a long lasting visual and emotional impact on participants while educating them about child abuse statistics. Most Fields post one flag for each child lost due to abuse, nationally or locally, however there are no specific rules, only the desire to deliver a powerful message. Volunteer run information booths at the events may be manned by counselors and social workers. Funds raised may be used to educate parents and caregivers, to provide shelters for victims of domestic violence and abuse.
This field is for our service men and women that have lost their lives defending our country. One flag may be posted for those that have lost their in the current conflict or any conflict throughout history.
Funds raised may fund a local memorial to honor and educate all citizens, to provide scholarships to the children of the fallen, to assist and support the wounded, their families or a local Fisher House type project.
Victims of Drunk Driving
One Flag one life---a temporary display to raise awareness to a number one killer of young drivers and the lives and families that are affected. Volunteer run information booths at the events may be manned by counselors, social workers and educators. Funds raised may be used to develop educational tools and programs in schools, develop local youth rehab centers or after school programs such as Boys and Girls Clubs.
International, Humanitarian, Awareness
Great people are doing great things to make a better world. The problem is so much of the important work being done is going unnoticed. A temporary flag display is an amazing visual that puts understanding to our message of hope, need or despair.
Healing America
The Healing Field® flag display program continues to grow and develop. Upon approval a Healing Field flag® display may be posted for a variety of worthy causes personal to those in your community.
Field of Honor™ flag displays and fundraising programs provide communities a venue to celebrate life and patriotism. A patriotic flag salute to heroes, our rich American history, veterans, or first responders are some applications of our flag display programs. This program is great for holidays, events or community relations events to celebrate the full glory of patriotism.
Temporary flag displays to honor all military men and women currently serving and veterans. A tribute to honor those that defend and protect our freedoms. Fields can also feature the addition of one of our other programs like Dear Hero and Operation Thank You in which troops in the field or those recovering in military hospital situations are sent messages of support and sponsored flags from the display.
Funds raised may be used to support local veteran’s projects of support such as Fisher House, homeless veteran’s, support to families of those that are serving.
First Responder Fields honor the courageous members of our communities who rush towards danger as others flee; selflessly insuring the safety of others. Fields may or may not include a display for those who have fallen in the line of duty. Funds raised by First Responder Fields may be used to purchase protective equipment or enhance community safety programs and education.
1776 Flags of Freedom or Patriot Day Tribute
Participants stroll through a sea of 1,776 flags and learn about American milestones involved in the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It is an informative, patriotic celebration of our country’s rich history and dedication of our Founding Fathers and/or tribute to this countries original Patriots. Funds raised may go to local historical sites, museums, freedom shrine displays for schools or libraries. Some other needs for funds may be to improve local parks, fund a memorial, and assist an elderly home, veteran’s home or to provide a memorable 4th of July community celebration.
Among the displayed flags, statistics and facts regarding Veterans are posted illustrating issues specific to them following their sacrifice to protect America’s founding principles and freedoms. These fields can also honor our heroes from all conflicts involving US troops. Fields can also feature the addition of one of our other programs like Dear Hero and Operation Thank You in which troops in the field or those recovering in military hospital situations are sent messages of support and sponsored flags from the display. Messages are written by anyone visiting the field that wishes to participate. This is especially popular with young people who have the desire to ‘do something’,to show their appreciation and gratitude but are not quite sure what to do or how.
Honor a Hero in Your Life
There are heroes on the battle front, home front and in our everyday lives. Special individuals that we have often wondered how to thank or pay tribute to yet have changed our lives and those around us. Our hero could be a parent, teacher, coach, church leader, brother, sister, uncle, grandparent or even a pet. These are moving tributes that touch the lives of those that want to honor a special someone in a very special way and those that are being honored, some long overdue. Funds raised can go to develop local parks, fund a memorial, support child abuse or domestic abuse programs, education and shelters.
Celebration of Freedom
This field is wonderful for celebratory holidays. The postings represent what creates a patriotic heart: life, love of liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Celebration of Patriotism
Like the Healing Field® flag displays, the Field of Honor™ flag display program continues to grow and develop. Upon approval, a Field of Honor™ flag display may be posted for a variety of worthy causes personal to those in your community.
Add-on Programs and Packages
Enhance your event, broaden your audience and widen the range for funding and sponsorship possibilities.
Host communities may opt to increase the educational value of a Field by adding elements that illustrate moments in history specific to the goal of the field. Milestone or Statistic signage, documents, banners and other interactive possibilities can be added to highlight the theme of the event, increase awareness and educate.
Some Milestone ideas include:
- Milestones of U.S. Military
- Milestones of American History
- Milestones of Flight/Travel
- Milestones of Technology/Industry
- Milestones in State or Local History
- Milestones in Art/Culture
- Milestones in Sports History
Other Add-On suggestions include:
- Statistics related to Veteran issues and needs- homelessness, PTSD’s, suicide rates, divorce, health and disease from the battlefield.
- Statistics related to Child Abuse and Domestic Abuse- injuries, deaths, abusers, causes and prevention
- Statistics related to First Responders-injuries, deaths, equipment, prevention, education, families
- Statistics related to poverty-hunger, literacy, unclean water, disease
- Statistics related to natural disasters
- Statistics related to drug and alcohol abuse
Participants can gather at a designated booth where they are able to sponsor a flag from the field. The flag will be held after the event and sent with other sponsored O.T.Y. flags to the national Healing Field Foundation where they will be packaged and sent to serving military troops in regular designated shipments. Included with the flag will be a message of support hand written by the sponsor at the booth, a photo of the Field and an explanation of the Field it flew on.
These patriotic tokens of appreciation to our troops have been highly praised and appreciated. Responses from the receiving troops have been powerful and emotional. Often stated as the best gift from home they could possibly receive.
Children can gather at a designated booth where materials are provided, such as long rolls of paper, markers, crayons and other creative type items to create, write and draw their messages to the troops. The messages can remain as a banner which can be sent to the troops or decorate the halls of a veterans hospital. The messages and art work can also be divided into smaller banner/messages and distributed to several locations. This can be designated by the individual Field or sent to the national Healing Field Foundation to be distributed.
Operation Dear Hero is the highlight of many young people that visit the Field with family and friends. Young people have often expresses fulfillment in finally being able to express appreciation, gratitude and even fears to those they consider Heroes.
The Healing Field Foundation works with reputable established service organizations that have authorized access to provide regular shipments of goods and services to military personnel.
