Norfolk Town Hill to be Covered in Flags for Memorial Day

The following is a press release from Fisher House Boston.

Fisher House Boston announced this week that, in honor of Memorial Day, the Norfolk Town Hill will be covered with more than 1,200 American flags each in memory of, or in honor of, a veteran. 

On Monday, May 28,  there will be an observance at the site following the Norfolk Memorial Day Parade at approximately 8:45am.

On May 22, the Town of Norfolk, through the Norfolk Lions Club, officially dedicated the "Field of Flags" with each of the 1,200 flags representing a donation made to the Fisher House Boston, a home away from home for veteran and military families at the VA Boston Healthcare System in West Roxbury, Mass. A total of $12,000 was raised.

Sgt. Ryan O'Malley of the United States Army, a Pembroke, Mass. resident, did the Honor Salute over the “Field of Flags” on May 22. (pictured in photo) Sgt. O'Malley lost his wife, Staff Sgt. Aracely O’Malley while they were both serving in Afghanistan in 2010. Sgt. O'Malley stayed at the Fisher House  in Landtuhl, Germany during her hospitalization.

"We wanted for nothing, the care and support was amazing. I will do anything I can to support our Fisher Houses for they helped my family and me during one of the most traumatic times of our lives,” said Sgt. O’Malley.

Fisher Houses provide a free place to stay for the families of veterans and wounded military personnel while they undergo medical treatment or rehabilitation. Since 1990 Fisher House has served nearly 160,000 families, saving them $192 million in lodging and transportation costs There are 57 Fisher Houses across the United States.

The Norfolk Lions sponsored the "Field of Flags" to find a way to express more than a simple “thank you” to the men and women of the armed forces.

“We decided to sell 1,200 American flags and display them on our Town Hill for Memorial Day. This way, everyone can visualize the sacrifices of these brave men and women. The community response was overwhelming, and in keeping with the Lions motto of: ‘We Serve’, we raised more than $12,000 for the Boston Fisher House,” said Don Hanssen of the Lions Club. 

"This 'Field of Flags' is a beautiful tribute to those who have done so much for us," said Jen DeLuca, assistant to the board of directors, Fisher House Boston. "The community should feel tremendous pride in what they have accomplished."

In attendance for the dedication on May 22 were many members from the Norfolk Community, including selectmen, State Rep. Dan Winslow, Alder Foods President and CEO and President of the Fisher House Boston Board of Directors Michelle Keating. Members of the King Philip Regional High School marching band will play “Echo Taps." Elizabeth St. Pierre, manager of the Boston Fisher House, and members of The Lions Club  also attended. The flags will be on display through June 2.

For more information about the Fisher House Boston visit www.fisherhouseboston.org