This spectacular display of patriotism will honor and recognize past and present veterans who have dedicated their lives to protecting our freedom.
Kiwanis 2024 Field of Honor drone video produced by VideoPhotog Production Inc.
Kiwanis 2022 Field of Honor drone video produced by Alex Koagel, Seminole Recreation Program Coordinator
Kiwanis 2022 Field of Honor Drone Video produced by the City of Seminole’s Citizen Emergency Response Team
Kiwanis 2021 Field of Honor drone video produced by Alex Koagel, Seminole Recreation Program Coordinator
Kiwanis 2022 Field of Honor Drone Video produced by the City of Seminole’s Citizen Emergency Response Team
Kiwanis 2021 Field of Honor drone video produced by Alex Koagel, Seminole Recreation Program Coordinator
Kiwanis 2019 Field of Honor drone video produced by Seminole CERT Drone team and edited by Jim Allen:
Awesome drone video produced by David Boorman (Seminole resident) on our Kiwanis 2017 Field of Honor:
Duke Energy & USCG volunteers ready to install another flag.
The Kiwanis Breakfast Club of Seminole in partnership with the city of Seminole launched in 2015 its first “Field of Honor” in support of the city’s Red-White-Blue patriotic initiative. This was comprised of 24 sponsored American flags displayed during the entire month of November on the front lawn of Seminole’s city hall. In 2016 the Field of Honor (FOH) grew to an impressive display of 176 flags! Since the city hall’s front lawn can only accommodate 176 flags, the display expanded in 2017 to the adjacent post office property with a total of 213 flags. In 2018 the FOH grew once more to a spectacular display of 305 American flags!
Our greatest hurdle to growing the FOH was finding a lighting solution for the flags while they fly at night. In 2019 we were very pleased to have established a partnership with Duke Energy which resolved our lighting problem and allowed us to grow the display to 425 flags. Not only did Duke Energy provide a much-needed light pole and lights but also 24 volunteers to help us install and remove the flag display. Duke’s team of community service volunteers has continued to annually help with the display. In 2020 the FOH grew to 431 flags, and the growth continued in 2021 and 2022 with 481 and 504 flags, respectively. With this growth, more lighting was needed and Duke Energy provided another light pole and lights for the display. A new record was established in 2023 when 606 flags were installed! This was made possible by St. Petersburg College Seminole generously providing additional land space, and Duke Energy once again providing more lighting.
Debbie helping to furl & bundle the flags.
Each year brings new challenges and in 2020 we had to deal with an approaching hurricane and take emergency action. In the early morning hours on Veterans Day, we learned hurricane Eta was quickly approaching our city with strong rain and projected high winds exceeding 65 mph. Emergency emails were sent out to club members and the community requesting help to remove the FOH display. Beginning at 10 AM during wind and rain 24 volunteers removed and safely stored all 431 flags in just 50 minutes. Then 48 hours later with the help of 16 volunteers, the FOH flags were all alphabetically re-installed in 2.5 hours and they flew until the display ended on December 1st. In November 2022 we had to take action to protect the flags from tropical storm Nicole’s strong winds and rain. After the storm passed volunteers straightened many flag poles and repaired several partially detached flags.
Anyone is welcome to sponsor a single (or multiple) 3’x 5’ American flag for $35 each to which a colorful custom-made military-style streamer is attached. This streamer is printed with the name of the veteran to be honored, military service logo, years served, and the Kiwanis logo with the current FOH year. Each flag is mounted on an 8’ steel pole placed in precision rows, and the flags will fly during the entire month of November. After the conclusion of the display on December 1st each flag sponsor can pick up their streamer(s) to keep in memory of the veteran(s) they’ve honored. The Kiwanis club will hold these streamers for 12 months allowing sufficient time for flag sponsors to claim them.
The 2024 Field of Honor flags will be installed on Friday, November 1st starting at 9 am in front of Seminole city hall, the adjacent post office and St Petersburg College Seminole (across the street). We welcome all who would like to volunteer to assist in installing the flags.
Brett & Leah team managing flag placements.
Several days after the flags are installed a free, one-hour Field of Honor ceremony attended by the public and many distinguished guests is held in the council chambers at Seminole city hall. In 2023 the ceremony included: American Legion Post 273 Color Guard; Tammy Vasquez singing the National Anthem; Seminole Mayor Leslie Waters; Col. Tony Clark, Chaplain (US Army, retired); Jim Quinn, Seminole Councilman (US Navy veteran); and keynote speaker Col. R. Ramsey Oliver, US Army, US Special Operations Command, MacDill AFB, Tampa.
The 2024 Field of Honor ceremony will be held on Wednesday, November 6th from 10 – 11 am in the Seminole city council chambers at 9199 113th Street, Seminole, FL. Please note seating is limited to approximately 100, and past ceremonies have resulted in standing room only.
The flag display will be removed on Sunday, December 1st beginning at 1 pm, and once again we greatly appreciate the many needed volunteers who have come out to help.
The Field of Honor project presents an educational opportunity for all children. When viewing the colorful flag streamers children learn through their family members about the history and sacrifices of the veterans being honored. They also learn what our flag and being patriotic means. The Field of Honor reminds our children and our community we need to be in service towards each other with tolerance and love and, most importantly, to be proud to be an American.
Charlene ensures the flags are being installed in order.
THE 2024 FIELD OF HONOR FLAG SPONSORSHIP IS NOW CLOSED.
GOOD NEWS! While the deadline has passed for sponsorship, there are some spots still available. Please contact Leah Hoffman at Ldhoffman1@msn.com or 727-873-7852 before 10/29 if you wish to sponsor a flag. The following information is required: NAME OF HONOREE – RANK – YEARS OF SERVICE – BRANCH OF SERVICE. Please note that while flag sponsorships may continue to be purchased based on availability, streamers may not be hung before the November 6th ceremony but will be placed as soon as they are printed.
FOR ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE 2024 FIELD OF HONOR PLEASE CONTACT LEAH HOFFMAN AT 727-873-7852.
The profits from the Field of Honor project are primarily used to support our club’s children-focused programs through our 501(c) (3) non-profit community service foundation. Programs include: helping teachers purchase classroom supplies at the six elementary schools we’ve adopted, supporting two elementary K-Kids clubs and six BUG’S programs, annually hosting four Family Fun Fishing Days, reading and providing free books at preschools, and contributing to numerous outreach programs benefiting children and families.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT KIWANIANS
LEAH HOFFMAN AT (727) 873-7852 OR DAVID GREEN AT (727) 504-4342.
A very special thank you to our sponsors for helping us create a Field of Honor of 600 flags! Your patriotism and support are deeply appreciated.
A sincere thanks to all of those that have served in our military. From one community to another, from generation to generation, may we always be true.
God bless America.
