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Field Of Flags Honors Fallen Troops

JIM REED/The Tampa Tribune

Alexis Bessinger sits among the the "Field of Flags" display at First United Church of Christ. Bessinger lost a close family friend to the war on terror. In the memorial one U.S. flag waves for each member of the U.S. military killed in Afghanistan and Iraq since the beginning of the wars.A service was held at the Church Saturday 1/12/08 to honor military personnel who have lost their lives overseas

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By SARAH ROTHWELL, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 19, 2008

Additional Photos

TEMPLE TERRACE - Korean War veteran Bob Mitchell's voice quivered with emotion. Before him sat people affected by war. Behind him waved 4,381 flags representing the number of American troops' lives lost in Iraq and Afghanistan.

As the first to speak at the Field of Flags ceremony Jan. 12 at First United Church of Tampa, Mitchell expressed hope.

"If these men and women lost could say something, I believe they would say to make the world a better place so there will never be another field of flags," he said.

Field of Flags is a traveling visual representation honoring fallen troops. The idea originated at the Somers Congregational Church in Somers, Conn. On Oct. 23, 2005, Somers members placed 2,231 flags on the church grounds. The flags have since traveled across the country. Every time a service member dies, a flag is added.

The flags arrived at the church in Temple Terrace the first week in January. Volunteers from the Somers church helped First United members set up the exhibit, which will be on display through Feb. 10.

"This has made us, as a congregation, extremely conscious about the cost of war," said First United's pastor, Warren Clark. "These soldiers have done what we, the people, have told them to do at a great cost to themselves and their families. We respect that."

The Field of Flags isn't the first time members of First United, which is a United Church of Christ congregation, have honored lives lost. For more than two years, members have recognized the increasing death toll in Iraq and Afghanistan by tolling a bell at the end of Sunday services.

"We toll the bell the number of American military deaths that week," Clark said. "We also toll the bell once for Iraqi lives lost and once for Afghan lives lost."

Clark emphasized the church's desire to promote peace in all nations.

"God loves us equally. There's nothing that says God loves Americans more than Iraqis," he said. "People may ask why a church for peace has flags up. It's not about whether you are for or against the war. It's about knowing the cost."

The ceremony Jan. 12 included a reading of the troops' names. Volunteers read the names aloud in shifts from 10 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. First United member Jim Roney was overwhelmed by the experience.

"There's a human being behind each one of the names, a person with loved ones and a family," Roney said. "You get a sense of the sadness they must feel."

World War II veteran James Christison also read names. Later, he spoke at the 3 p.m. remembrance service. Tears welled in his eyes.

"It's hard to explain," he said. "There's a camaraderie that extends beyond generations. Just like the men I was in the Army with were my brothers, these men feel like my brothers. I know they won't be forgotten."

Temple Terrace resident Alexis Bessinger wept, holding a photo of a lost friend.

"This is Sean Paul Fisher," she said. "He was killed Aug. 14. He was a dear friend. I was driving by this morning, and I saw this. I want to thank you for having this."

Clark closed the service with a prayer and the song "Amazing Grace." The men and women were then invited to view the list of names. An updated list is posted daily on a bulletin board. Eight were added the week before the service.

"This is the price of peace," Mitchell said.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Field of Flags

WHERE: First United Church of Tampa, 7308 E. Fowler Ave.

WHEN: Through Feb. 10

INFORMATION: Visit www.ucctampabay.org.

Sarah Rothwell can be reached at (813) 865-1508 or srothwell@ tampatrib.com.

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