ROTC members help set up Field of Flags memorial in record time
Students helped place 900 flags for the 14th annual Patriot’s Field of Flags memorial
Saturday morning in front of the Albany Mall, more than 125 ROTC students from Dougherty, Worth and Lee counties swarmed the area, placing more than 900 American flags near the mall’s fountains. The event marks the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks as part of the 14th annual Patriot’s Field of Flags memorial. (Staff Photo Terry Lewis)
By Terry Lewis
ALBANY — How do you plant 900 American Flags and scores of white crosses in the ground in just an hour and a half? You bring in teenagers to help.
Saturday morning in front of the Albany Mall, more than 125 ROTC students from Dougherty, Worth and Lee counties swarmed the area, placing flags ahead of the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks as part of the 14th annual Patriot’s Field of Flags memorial, which began this weekend and will continue through the 9/11 anniversary.
“We shaved move than an hour and a half off our old record,” said Marvin Mixon of American Legion Post 30. “It was a combination of youthful energy and soft ground. This is the largest number of kids we’ve had out here. I think it’s good Patriotic learning lesson for them.”
Post 30 is the event sponsor, and its members put up the display with help from other organizations and individual volunteers. Other participating organizations include American Legion Post 182 in Leesburg, American Legion Post 335 in Sylvester, Marine Corps League, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2785, American Legion Riders, Sons of American Legion and area Junior ROTC units.
The Patriot’s Field of Flags is a program to remember and memorialize the men and women who have been involved in the War Against Terrorism, including all members of our nation’s military, firemen, policemen and other emergency response personnel.
Westover High School Marine Corps Junior ROTC unit Instructor Lt. Col. Don Mills, Sr., who brought a large contingent from the school, agreed with Mixon.
“These kids who are out here today will learn something they can carry with them the rest of their lives,” Mills said. “They are learning to be responsible citizens. Those who volunteer by giving back to the community are also receiving a great gift.”
Post 30’s Henry Alward echoed the colonel’s sentiments.
“It’s important that these kids learn to honor veterans at an early age, and that to be a patriot means to be free,” Alward said.
Lee County High School was also well-represented.
“We’re here to pay respect to our flag and to the ones who have served before us,” Lee senior Justin Goins said.
Jose Greathouse said he was proud to have helped because “it fills my heart with joy.”
Demondre Span added his reason for showing up was personal.
“I have relatives who served in World War II and in Vietnam, so it’s a special day for me,” Span said.
Lee County’s Gavin Lewis said he volunteered to “honor those who did not make it home and to pay homage to their families.”
The American flags are located on land adjacent to the mall and along the driveway around the mall. Dozens of 3-foot-high white crosses are also in an area in front of the mall. The crosses represent military personnel from Dougherty and Lee counties who lost their lives in combat from World War I to present day.
A memorial program will be held at 7 p.m. on Sept. 10. The guest speaker for the program will be retired Army Lt. Col. Brian Lassetter, senior instructor for Worth County High School JROTC
The field of flags and crosses is expected to be dismantled the following Monday.
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