March 28, 2024 10:36 AM
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Flags to Fly at Prescott Valley Healing Field of Northern Arizona for 11th Year

Three thousand American flags will fly for the 11th year on Sept. 8-15, 2023, during Patriot Week at the Prescott Valley Civic Center.

In 2012, Yavapai County Dist. 5 Supervisor Mary Mallory, then a Prescott Valley councilmember, spearheaded an effort to bring a Healing Field to the community to honor the lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. That year, 1,200 flags flew at the Civic Center grounds. The community rallied behind the effort, and in 2013, 3,000 flags filled the grounds, and have flown there every year since. In 2013, 19 flags honoring the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshot firefighters lost in the Yarnell Hill Fire on June 30, 2013, were added.

Some interesting facts about the Field:

  • 55 military personnel have a pair of boots resting at bottom of their flag.

  • 343 firefighters have a pair of boots resting at bottom of their flag.

  • 72 law enforcement police officers have a pair of boots resting at bottom of their flag. (71 law enforcement officers who died in the World Trade Center and on the ground in New York City, and another law enforcement officer who died when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania).

  • 8 kids have a teddy bear on their flag.

Flag Installation

Community volunteers, including those from the Central Arizona Fire & Medical Authority, the PV Police Department, other local law enforcement agencies and veterans’ groups will install the flags on the field on Friday, Sept. 8. Each flagpole bears the name and information about the victims of the attacks. Those who would like to volunteer to install or take down the flags, maintain the field during the week, or serve in the information booth may visit our website to sign up. Sadly, this year the Healing Field lost one of its most dedicated volunteers, Richard Bowman, who did most of the midweek flag maintenance and other tasks. The Healing Field is seeking more volunteers who will honor Richard by helping with these needs during Patriot Week.

Patriot Run/Walk

On Saturday, Sept. 9, the Patriot Run/Walk, with all proceeds going to the Central Arizona Honor Guard, will begin at 7 a.m. For information and to register visit the website or the Facebook page.

Benefit Pancake Breakfast

Local restaurant Ciao Bella will sponsor a pancake breakfast on Saturday morning, Sept. 9 with all donation proceeds going to purchase flags and maintain the fields.

Blessing of the Field

Saturday, September 9th at 10:30 am on the grounds of the Prescott Valley Civic Center at the Theater of the Green.

Against the backdrop of almost 3000 American flags, this Remembrance Ceremony, unique to the Prescott Valley Healing Field of Northern Arizona, honors the memory of the 3000 9/11 victims.  The 470 public servants made up of 343 Fire, 72 Law Enforcement and 55 Military that gave their lives that day will be honored with a ceremonial tribute called “Placing of the Boot.” A symbolic pair of boots will be placed at the foot of the Flag that represents that service in honor of their sacrifice.

The Program:

  • Presentation of Colors with Central Arizona Honor Guard and Pipes and Drums Band

  • National Anthem

  • Speaker

  • Blessing of the Field

  • Closing Statement

This event is open to the public and all are invited to attend. Bring your own chair or blanket to place on the lawn.

Annual 9/11 Patriot Day Ceremony

On Monday evening, Sept. 11, at 6 p.m., the Town will host the annual 9/11 Patriot Day Ceremony at the Theater on the Green. The ceremony will include fire and police Honor Guards, National Anthem, and rifle volley and taps by the American Legion Post #6 Honor Guard. Central Arizona Fire & Medical Authority firefighters will lower a giant American flag from the roof of the Civic Center. Keynote speaker this year will be Stacey Goodman. Stacey was a police patrol officer on Long Island on 9/11. She had been receiving ongoing and extensive training in disaster response and was a member of a federal disaster response team that was always ready to deploy. On 9/11, she was immediately activated for duty and reported to the heart of chaos, right in the middle of Ground Zero, where she spent the next 23 days.

The Field stays open 24/7. The flags will fly around the clock at the Civic Center during the week, and the public is invited to come, walk the field, and pay their respects to those lost on 9/11/2001.

For more information, please visit www.healingfieldpv.com or call 928-759-3123.

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