A Field of Flags

There is a field of American flags in Plaistow.  There are 6,295 of them to be exact.  There is one flag for each serviceman or woman whose life was lost in Afghanistan or in Iraq since 9/11.  God bless them all.

The field of flags went up a couple of weeks ago and I finally stopped to learn about it the other day.  I went into the Art Gallery located just in front of the field and was met by the proprietor, a charming young woman, Nicole DeClerck (see here and here).  She gave me permission to photograph the display and to use the pictures to illustrate an article on the Internet.  I took my iPad and wandered through the flags, snapping pictures.  Later, Nicole and I exchanged e-mails.  I sent the pictures I had taken and she sent a picture of the painting shown.  It is titled “Isaiah 1” and is inspired by a painting by Van Gogh. 

The painting touches me inside and echoes God and country.  Thank you, Nicole.

The flag field covers about an acre.  The individual flags are the size used to mark the graves of service people for Memorial Day, some two feet high.  They are located on two-foot centers with a wider aisle for handicapped access every four rows of flags.  Each flag is identified with a card bearing the name of the service person, the branch of service, the home town, the age, and the date of death.  Flags of female service members are decorated with a small flower.

There is a stage at one corner of the field.  The stage is a field of blue with white stars.  The Flag of Honor flies from one corner of the stage, the American Flag from the other corner.  The Flag of Honor is similar to the American Flag but with the names of all of the victims of 9/11 printed within the flag’s stripes.  There are wreaths at the base of the stage honoring our fallen in all of our wars.

For all of its physical beauty, the field of flags is more a stimulus for the psyche, an elicitor of emotions, and a probing of the soul.  It is intended to evoke contemplation, reflection, and introspection.  What does it mean to be an American?  What do we ask of our young people?  Can we adequately honor our fallen?

The field of flags is the loving work of the Rock Church Ministries and is located at the Rockingham Church, 90 Newton Road (Route 108 at the intersection of Sweet Hill Road) in Plaistow, N.H.  The Rock Church Ministries have other locations in Sandown, NH and Amesbury, MA. 

The field is open to the public.  There will be a special services on Sun, Nov. 13 to honor our veterans.  All are welcome.