Church remembers the fallen with Field of Flags display

KENT — Since early August, the First Congregational Church at 97 North Main St. has been home to a Field of Flags memorial.

Approximately 5,631 small American flags were planted on the lawn in front of the church, with each flag representing an American casualty in the military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The flags have been a traveling memorial since 2005. The idea originated with Anne Kirkpatrick and Jo-Ann Hornyak, who are members of the Somers Congregational Church in Somers, Conn.

“Jo-Ann and I are both members of the Memorial Garden Committee at our church,� Kirkpatrick explained in a phone interview last week. “Our pastor’s son was, at the time, serving in the Marines in Iraq. We wanted to find a way to support our pastor and other people who have family serving in the military.

“When Jo-Ann was living in New Jersey, there was a very small church that would put flags on the lawn representing the fallen. We decided to do the same, to honor the sacrifices made for our country.�

The Somers church set up its Field of Flags in October 2005; at that time, there had been 2,231 American casualties.

Since then, Kirkpatrick and Hornyak have traveled to 39 churches in nine states including Connecticut to help set up the Field of Flags.

The memorial remains on display for a month and then  moves on to another church.

The First Congregational Church in Kent is the 40th church that has hosted the memorial.

“People hear about it by word of mouth,� Kirkpatrick said. “We just take the flags to where we are called to. It is still an emotional experience for us, even though Jo-Ann and I have been doing this since 2005.

“We’re just happy that it has had a lot of impact wherever it has been and it offers support to families that these wars have affected.�

The flags at Kent’s First Congregational Church were set up by 20 volunteers, including Jerry White, who is a member of the congregation and is also commander of the American Legion Post No. 153. He is a veteran of the Korean War and served in the 24th Division of the Army from 1950 to 1951.

“These flags are for the men, women and families that have sacrificed themselves for other people’s lives,� White said. “I want people to remember that there are others who are still there fighting for us.�

Kent resident Andy Ocif, who is a member of American Legion Post No. 153, served in the Air Force from 1957 to 1961 and also helped with setting up the flags.

“It doesn’t matter how you feel about the war, it’s important that we support our troops,� Ocif said. “I remember how our Vietnam veterans were treated very badly when they got back. Our soldiers have a tough mission. Some of them are dying over there and it’s important that we support them.�

First Selectman Bruce Adams called the memorial “inspiring.�

“When I drive by the church, it never fails to make me think about what it symbolizes,� Adams said. “One flag for every man and woman who gave his or her life for this country. It’s a visual reminder of all the brave people who gave their lives.�

The flags were planted on Aug. 13, and every night since then, someone has read aloud from the list of names of those who have fallen in the military conflicts. The final reading was on Wednesday, Sept. 8.

The memorial is now scheduled to travel to Haddam Congregational Church.

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