NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Oct. 27, 2020) – To pay tribute to the men and women who have served or are now serving in the U.S. military, 1,000 American flags will cover Victory Field at Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage as a part of a Field of Honor®. The Exchange Club of Donelson-Hermitage has organized this event, in conjunction with the Colonial Flag Foundation and The Hermitage.
Field of Honor will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., starting Thursday, Nov. 5 through Saturday, Nov. 14. A dedication ceremony will happen at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6 with master of ceremonies Rhori Johnston, Emmy Award-winning journalist with NewsChannel5, and keynote speaker Lt. General (Retired) John M. Pickler. A free, fireworks show with patriotic music will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. The Field of Honor display will conclude with a closing ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14.
“The Field of Honor is hard to describe but easy to be felt when you see it in person,” said Desha L. Hearn, co-chair, Field of Honor. “The 1,000 3-by-5-foot American flags are placed in honor or memory of American veterans who have sacrificed, or are sacrificing, for our country. Our Exchange Club of Donelson-Hermitage is proud to present this moving tribute on the grounds of Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage. Thanks to our sponsors, the field is free and open to the public.”
“The Hermitage is honored to host this amazing display of American flags for the fifth year. As the only presidential site to host a Field of Honor, we feel extremely proud that our grounds can serve as the site of such a spectacular tribute to the brave men and women who serve – and have served – in our nation’s military,” said Howard J. Kittell, Andrew Jackson Foundation president and CEO.
Flags for the display may be sponsored for $30. After the event concludes, sponsors will be able to take their flags to their homes or businesses to fly proudly.
The Hermitage always offers free admission to active duty military and half-price admission to veterans. All veterans will receive free admission on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11.
All proceeds raised through the Field of Honor display benefit REBOOT Combat Recovery, The Gary Sinise Foundation, The Family Center, Nashville USO, Youth Villages, Volunteers of America and the Andrew Jackson Foundation, among others. For more information, visit www.FOHNashville.com
Details on the weekend’s events are below:
Dedication Ceremony
Where:
Victory Field at Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, Entrance is at 421 Highland Drive, Hermitage, TN 37076
When:
Friday, Nov. 6, at 2 p.m.
Who:
Emmy award-winning journalist Rhori Johnston is the dedication ceremony’s master of ceremonies. Lt. General (Retired) John M. Pickler is the ceremony’s keynote speaker. Andrew Jackson Foundation president and CEO Howard J. Kittell and Field of Honor co-chair Desha L. Hearn will also give remarks.
FREE Veterans Day Fireworks Show
Where:
Victory Field at Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, Entrance is at 421 Highland Drive, Hermitage, TN 37076
When:
Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m.
Closing Ceremony
Where:
Victory Field at Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, Entrance is at 421 Highland Drive, Hermitage, TN 37076
When:
Saturday, Nov. 14 at 10 a.m.
ABOUT ANDREW JACKSON’S HERMITAGE
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage: Home of the People’s President is one of the largest, most well-preserved and most visited presidential homes in the United States. Opened to the public in 1889, The Hermitage is one of America’s first presidential museums. Today, The Hermitage is a 1,120-acre National Historic Landmark with more than 20 historic buildings, including Jackson’s mansion and tomb, restored slave cabins, a church and gardens. In recent years, new interpretive initiatives and educational programs such as the history of slavery have enhanced the experience of more than 230,000 annual visitors. For more information, visit www.thehermitage.com.
About the Exchange Club of Donelson-Hermitage
The Exchange Club of Donelson-Hermitage is a group of men and women who work together to better the community through four programs of service: Americanism, Community Service, Youth Activities and Child Abuse Prevention. The Exchange Club promotes pride in the country, respect for the flag and appreciation of our freedoms. Exchange Clubs across the country spend countless hours and dollars improving their communities each year. In fact, many of the projects within the Program of Service have a common goal of serving and benefiting communities. Through college scholarships, mentoring and guidance, and service recognition, Exchange is making a difference to America’s youngest generations. Exchange provides a variety of public awareness materials designed to help inform and increase awareness of child abuse and how it can be prevented, along with supporting its local center, The Family Center.
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