Seguin’s Field of Honor now in place at Faith Lutheran Church
(Seguin) – It’s a salute to America this week as Seguin plants this year’s Field of Honor. Dozens of veterans and first responders gathered on Saturday to officially kick off this year’s event on the lawn of Faith Lutheran Church.
The annual event traditionally held during the Fourth of July week is being hosted earlier this year so that the nearly 1,000 7.5 foot tall American Flags can wave in conjunction with the Flag Day holiday slated for this Wednesday, June 14.
The placement of the flags across the church lawn by the local Field of Honor Committee has been the tradition for the past four years. Although the flags have stood for patriotism, they have also stood for peace and as a sign of our many blessings.
That’s according to Andrew Cave, the youth and family minister at Faith Lutheran Church who was invited to speak before the crowd. Cave says his words stemmed from the spirit of deep gratitude.
“What an honor we have as Faith Lutheran Church to be a part of this amazing event. We are blessed in more ways than I can say in this five-minute talk, but we are blessed to live in a country where we can pray publicly. We are blessed to be able to gather together this morning in Jesus’ name and we are blessed to be able to carry a Bible openly and we are blessed ultimately in many other ways but ultimately by the one who freely went to the cross to battle our sins once and for all – courageously and in a manner of humility and because of this sacrifice of Jesus, all are blessed with the opportunity to experience eternal life. Freedom everlasting,” said Cave.
Having been a partner for the annual Field of Honor event, Cave says the church has recognized the value in the field’s symbolism.
“The greatest sacrifice one can make is to give their own life. That is the most immeasurable way to display Christ to others and thank you to all who have done this. I end with this quote by Ann Voskamp. ‘The greatest freedom we have is the freedom to come right to God at any time because of the sacrifice price. Because he gave his own life, we have direct access to a perfectly Holy Father and we can go to him in prayer, and he listens, and he cares and loves for us at any moment. That is freedom everlasting,’” said Cave.
Over the past few months, members of the Field of Honor committee have been collecting donations for those wishing to display a flag at the site. For $25, individuals can still purchase a flag in memory or in honor of military personnel, veterans or first responders. The flags will continue to wave until closing ceremonies scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, June 17.
The flags are 3×5 in size and are assembled on 7.5-foot poles. At the end of the event, the flags and poles will be yours to take home. Donations from the event will go to benefit the American Legion Post #245.
Cave says he looks forward to these next few days when cars and trucks coming down State Highway 123 Bypass will also get the opportunity to witness the love and pride that waves here in Seguin.
“For the next week or so, thousands – hundreds for sure but hopefully thousands will stop by and walk by these flags feeling pride yet also feeling humility. For the next week, my favorite part is at night when the lights will be dazzling over these flags at night creating a beautiful patriotic display,” said Cave.
The community is also invited each day at 7 p.m. for the playing of Taps. A flag retirement ceremony at the site will also be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Those wishing to purchase a flag are asked to visit healingfield.org/event/seguintx23/. They may also 830-243-2872.
