Kiwanian Jim Allen (left) and volunteers from Cub Scout Pack 371, Duke Energy and the community help remove the flags & streamers.

In 2015, the Kiwanis Breakfast Club of Seminole in partnership with the City of Seminole launched its first “Field of Honor” in support of the City of Seminole’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 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 Field of Honor grew again to a spectacular display of 305 American flags!  Our club’s goal is for the Field of Honor to continually grow and be an annual display of patriotism the city of Seminole’s residents will be proud.

Our greatest hurdle to growing the Field of Honor has been finding a lighting solution for the flags while they fly at night.  We were very pleased to have established a partnership with Duke Energy last year and our lighting problem was resolved which allowed us to grow the 2019 display to 422 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.

Mayor Waters (center) is joined by city council members and guest speakers at the Field of Honor ceremony.

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 Field of Honor 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 customized streamer(s) to keep in memory of the veteran(s) they’ve honored.

A Field of Honor ceremony attended by the public and many distinguished guests is held during the first week of the November in the Council Chambers at Seminole City Hall.  In 2019 the ceremony included: The Seminole Professional Firefighters Honor Guard; Mayor Leslie Waters; Capt. Stanley Beach, Chaplain, US Navy (retired); Senior Judge William Overton (retired)/ Major US Army Reserve (retired); and keynote speaker Commander Maurice “Mo” Murphy, Executive Officer USCG Air Station Clearwater.

Kiwanians Lee Walters and Wayne McKenney make a repair during the display.

Flags sponsorships for 2020 are already being accepted via debit card, credit card, cash, and check – just click here to fill out the sponsor form. After a flag sponsorship is purchased, your name and the name of the veteran being honored are included in a scrolling list on the club’s web site up until the display ends.

The deadline to sponsor a flag for the 2020 display will be Tuesday, October 20th. Since the demand each year for a flag has typically exceeded our supply, it is important to act quickly to reserve a flag!

All profits from this project are used to maintain and grow the Field of Honor, and help support the Kiwanis Breakfast Club’s numerous community service programs in the greater Seminole area through its 501(c) (3) non-profit community service foundation. These programs include: Adopt-A-School (6 elementary schools), Bring Up Grades, Family Fun Fishing Days, K-Kids Clubs, “Reading is Fun-damental”, Special Olympics and more.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT KIWANIANS
LEAH HOFFMAN AT (727) 873-7852 OR WAYNE MCKENNEY AT (813) 767-4682.