An annual event in November that honored Coachella Valley veterans who served in the Armed Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan is being reworked to be more inclusive, event organizers announced this week.
Driving the news: “Fields of Valor” will take place from 9 a.m. Nov. 5 to noon Nov. 12 in Cathedral City’s Patriot Park to honor all local veterans and to recognize fallen soldiers from all wars, with 1,500 flags placed at the park, according to a statement from event organizers.
- “We think it’s time we recognize all of our servicemen and women, regardless of where or when they have served our country,” event coordinator Jo Anne Kennon said.
Looking back: For 14 years, the Rotary Clubs of Cathedral City organized the previously named “Healing Field” event honoring valley residents who served in the Armed Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. This year’s reworked event will recognize veterans of every war and those who served in between conflicts, not just in the Coachella Valley but throughout California.
What to expect: The park will feature sections designated to honor veterans of different conflicts and separate groupings of flags to honor fallen veterans and veterans of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines.
- Kennon said that the names of local lost soldiers have been recorded and will be looped into a recording which will be played each day. “Our goal is to memorialize fallen veterans while also recognizing those active servicemen and women and veterans who have returned home,” she said.
Details: To help set up and remove the flags, as well as greet arriving veterans and their families, volunteers can sign up here.
