By COREY MAPP, Writer, TB Reporter

The flag display, sponsored by the Kiwanis Breakfast Club of Seminole, is designed to honor veterans and active duty military.

SEMINOLE – The Kiwanis Breakfast Club of Seminole pays respects to past and present military service members by displaying hundreds of American flags for the month of November.

The Field of Honor in Seminole shows gratitude and appreciation to veterans and active duty military. The club of Seminole, a nonprofit organization, sponsors and organizes the event.

“Veteran’s Day comes and goes but this is a way to honor them for longer,” said David Green, former president of Kiwanis.

Father of Kiwanis member Kris Hartland saw the display in Huntington, NY. After Hartland shared the idea with the Seminole club, Kiwanis leaders proposed the concept to the Seminole City Council. The idea dovetailed with the city’s Red, White, and Blue initiative, which was implemented as a way to show American pride and influence the community to do the same.

Seminole Mayor Leslie Waters said she believes the Field of Honor to be one of the highlights of the initiative.

“It was just breathtaking,” said Waters of last year’s display.

This will be the third year that Seminole City Hall hosts the display, which had 24 flags the first year and 175 the second. Last year Kiwanis ran out of room at City Hall, 9199 113^th St. N.

Green estimates there will be more than 200 flags in this year’s display. Kiwanis reserved ground space at the post office next door as well as at the St. Petersburg College Seminole campus across the street from City Hall.

The flags not only honor veterans and military, they also help the community through sponsorships. It costs $35 to sponsor a flag. Included in the tax-deductible donation is a ribbon personalized with the branch, years served and name of the military service member. Once the display is taken down, donors receive the ribbon as a keepsake.

The Field of Honor can be seen from Nov. 1 – Dec. 2 as a symbol of gratitude for those that have sacrificed for America.

“It was quite the patriotic sight,” said Waters, referring to the number of visitors who stopped to take pictures.

The set-up starts at 7:30 a.m. Nov. 1 and takes about an hour and a half. The flag display follows specific protocol for removal and set-up to ensure the flags are handled respectfully.

Last year the Field of Honor raised $2,387, which was used to fund projects within the community. This year that number is expected to grow as the cost of materials will significantly decrease as last year’s flags and masts can be reused.

Kiwanis has 21 projects supported by fundraisers. One of those is an adopt-a-school project for six local elementary schools. The program allows each school $600 to use for school supplies for those students who don’t have everything they need for the school year. The purpose is not only to help those in need, but to prevent the teachers from using their own money on classroom supplies.

A ceremony to kick off the display will be held in Seminole City Hall chambers from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Nov. 2. Last year, the keynote speaker for the ceremony was Lt. Col. Nicholas Morris, of the U.S. Marine Corps. He spoke on the importance of community involvement and complimented the Seminole community for their efforts.

It is unclear who will be the main speaker at this year’s ceremony. U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-St. Petersburg, and Waters will be at the event. The Seminole firefighters honor guard will post the colors.

To sponsor a flag, sign up to volunteer, or learn more about the Field of Honor go to kiwanisseminolebreakfastclub.com.

Photos from the 2016 Field of Honor courtesy of Seminole Mayor Leslie Waters.

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