A Field of Heroes
A tribute to commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11 was embraced by the community, as many came together to provide a helping hand in creating A Field of Heroes at the Sanibel Community Park.
When volunteers gathered in June to tag the flags, which recognize a first responder, military member, loved one or hero connected to the attacks, it became a healing event as it provided an opportunity to share individual stories.
Sanibel Recreation Department Marketing & Events Coordinator Denise Dillon said no matter the distance to where they were that day — everyone has a story.
Individuals are encouraged to visit A Field of Heroes at the Sanibel Community Park, at 2331 Periwinkle Way, as “it is breathtaking to see” the straight lines of American flags.
The community can visit the tribute until Tuesday, Sept. 14.
Dillon said for two days about 60 volunteers installed 2,977 flags that are individually labeled of those that passed in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., in alphabetical order.
“The reason that I did this was because coming from New Jersey every 9/11, on every TV channel show, would have these five hour readings of all the names,” Dillon said.
When she moved to Florida, turned on the television, the same was not replicated.
“It kind of upset me, it wasn’t a regional tragedy, it was a national tragedy,” she said.
Dillon said the addition of names on the flags is a small part she can do to honor those who lost their life and gave their lives so selflessly.
“I sat at my desk last year — what can we do as a city, a community that has suffered numerous tragedies and knows what to do to band together — (that is where I) kind of had this idea,” she said.
With many who live in Florida being transplants from the tri-state area, they all have a story to tell, many of which resulted in tears as the flags were placed in the field.
“A lot of the tags would have a women’s name and say her unborn child. You don’t think of the amount of people, and walks of life they all came from,” Dillon said.
All of the flags were sponsored, which helped raise money for a special city initiative that will be announced during the Waves of Remembrance program.
“We are grateful for the sponsors that have poured in to help make this field come to life so these individuals can be remembered. If you knew someone, or did not know someone, you can sit there and reflect on all the lives that were lost,” she said.
Dillon said she is very grateful for all of the volunteers.
“We banged it out in a day and a half. They put up with the heat and bugs this week to make it all come to life,” she said.