(Seguin) — Preparations for the 2021 Seguin Field of Honor Event kick off this weekend with a barbecue fundraiser at the American Legion Post. The fundraiser is the public’s opportunity to not only support the effort by purchasing a delicious meal but also providing an opportunity to learn more about the patriotic summer event that recognizes our American heroes.
That’s according to Connie Ramirez, the chairperson for the Seguin Field of Honor Committee.
“We are working on having the fields back again. We had to cancel it last year because of COVID so this year, we are hopeful that we can go ahead and have the flags out there again at the fields adjacent to Faith Lutheran Church because we figure there is enough room out there for social distancing and then it’s in the outdoors so we should be good to go on that,” said Ramirez.
Ramirez says despite last year’s cancellation, there’s been plenty of support to host the event one more time in Seguin.
“Field of Honor is a fundraising event. It started with fundraising for military and veterans and since then has expanded a little bit. The last time we did it here in Seguin, it was for our military, veterans and first responders and what you do is you can sponsor a flag and they are $30 and it’s a 3×5 flag and it’s on a 7 and a half foot pole and the flags are tagged with the name of your loved one and their military branch or branch of service and that is erected on the field and it stays up for all week and you can go take pictures of your flag. People walk through and just read the names of the different people. Some went as far as decorating their flag. They had little pinwheels or lights around at the bottom of the flag. It was really nice. People just go out there. We had people take their chairs and just sit and look at the site because if you didn’t see it the first time we brought it, it was an amazing site,” said Ramirez.
Ramirez says the committee, this year, has also chosen to enhance its applause of all American heroes — giving individuals the chance to honor some very special and deserving individuals.
“This year, we have expanded the sponsorships because our flag stands for our great country and all the people that make it great and this last year with COVID, we had several different people who have had stepped up and have become heroes such as our healthcare workers, our essential workers, the teachers and so, we wanted to open it up a little bit more– if you wanted to honor your loved one and they fall in those categories, to sponsor a flag in their name — they are going to be tagged a lit bit differently than the veterans and the military but they will still have a place out there in the Field of Honor and so that’s what’s a little bit different about it this year,” said Ramirez.
The beneficiary for this year’s Seguin Field of Honor will again be the SS American Memorial located at 45 Naumann Rd. Ramirez says the non-profit organization at Lazy U Ranch continues to support and help heal our nation’s finest.
“Their mission is to help our military and veterans and first responders. They have an amazing site out there. If you have never heard of it, you can look them up on the internet and go visit. They have a Freedom Friday, second Friday of every month and so it’s an amazing organization,” said Ramirez.
The purchasing or sponsoring of an American flag is made easy. Ramirez says there are a variety of ways to honor your special loved one.
“They are $30 and if they want to purchase online, they can go to our Facebook page and it’s the Seguin Texas Field of Honor and there is a link there. If not, they can Google Seguin Field of Honor 2021 and there is a button there that they can sponsor a flag. If we have any businesses or individuals that want to be corporate sponsor, there is a button there as well. We are going to have different places where you can go and fill out the form if you don’t like to do anything online. We’ll have forms available and Saturday at our barbecue fundraiser, at the American Legion, we’ll have forms there as well if anybody wants to go by and sponsor a flag. That is fine too and like I said, we’ll be posting different locations where we will be with the paper forms,” said Ramirez.
Seguin Field of Honor is scheduled from June 26 through July 5. Following closing ceremonies, individuals will get to take their flags home. Again, to help pre-purchase the flags in advance, the local committee which operates under the Colonial Flag Foundation, will look to raise the necessary funds with this weekend’s barbecue. Plates are $10 each and includes a half chicken, cowboy potatoes, beans plus trimmings. The fundraiser will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The American Legion Post is located at 618 E. Kingsbury Street.
Those wishing to purchase a flag may also contact Ramirez at 830-243-2872.