Armed Forces Day is traditionally the second Saturday in May. And Newport Beach has a very special way of paying tribute to our members of the military.
1,776 flags are placed on a cliff above Newport Bay to honor all branches. It is simply spectacular.
I noticed an article in our local paper and knew I had to take a look. 1,776 flags! I grabbed a leash and headed out with the pooch. Just a two mile walk away.
Once I got there I was awestruck. And sad. Tags like this hung from many of the poles.
President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.
On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days. The single day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under the Department of Defense.
The park includes this impressive monument to 1st Battalion 1st Marines.
Side-by-side with the flags was an art contest from the local schools. A fifth grader did this and deservadly won first place.
Seriously? I can't draw a straight line.
Sumi makes friends easily wherever we go. We have had our little Husky girl since October. I cannot take a walk without a compliment paid to her -- "pretty dog" or "beautiful dog." My unremarkable looks have garnered me very little attention in my life so it has taken some getting used to, walking a pretty, pretty princess.
View from the park. The buildings are Fashion Island. Boy, I have done some damage there.
Check out those amazing eyes.
Thank you Exchange Club of Newport Harbor, who presents The Field of Honor every year.
It is a wonderful pre-kick off to Memorial Day weekend. Enjoy yours!
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That's what it's all about! :) Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it? I was inspired.
DeleteVery touching...My father was in the Marine Corps and was on Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. Carl, the love of my life, was also a Marine and was in the Battle of Hue in 1968.
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for your husband and father's service. Very thankful.
DeleteGreat tribute, and interesting it is one of many things originating from that mid-century period! My parents were a young family in 1949, my father finishing college after being pilot / POW in WWII...what a different US it was then.
ReplyDeleteTo think they liked MCM design to a point, which was with us until my father had his last USAF post in Alabama, into a formal house, where my mother changed everything!
The flags are such a great tribute. I am really glad this happens every year. You could tell people were awe-struck and reverential as they walked around.
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