Mark your calendars! November 4 – 12
Note the temporary location for this year only…

WITH GRATITUDE TO THE GEORGETOWN ISD,
The 2023 Field of Honor®will be on the field behind the Hammerlun Center for Leadership and Learning
507 E. University Ave., Georgetown TX

DURING THE WEEK OF THE FIELD OF HONOR®, PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL OF THE NEIGHBORS SURROUNDING THE FIELD AND THE ADJACENT STREETS. BE SURE TO NOT BLOCK DRIVEWAYS, AND BE COURTEOUS WHEN YOU VISIT THE FIELD. AVAILABLE PARKING IN THE GISD LOT WILL BE MARKED THROUGHOUT THE WEEK OF THE EVENT. PLEASE DO NOT USE SPACES DESIGNATED FOR STAFF DURING THE WEEK.  THANK YOU!

The schedule for FLAG SALES and REPOSTING OF FLAGS PURCHASED LAST YEAR FROM THE FIELD OF HONOR® is as follows:
November 4 through 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
November 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
November 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

New flags are $45 and reposts are $20 as a donation to the Rotary Club of Georgetown Foundation. The net proceeds from flag sales will be awarded to organizations that serve veteran and first responders and their families. Remember that repost flag(s) must be in PERFECT condition and must be inspected and approved to be reposted. A flag with any frayed edges, fading, or any signs of stain or wear cannot be flown on the field. If your flag does not pass inspection, a new flag will need to be purchased to fly on the field. Flags that can be reposted will have a new dedication tag made and will be attached to the flagpole at the designated location on the field. Worn or tattered flags can be added to those that will be respectfully retired during the Flag Retirement Ceremonies held many of the evenings during the week of the Field of Honor®. The American Heritage Girls and Boy Scouts provide these respectful ceremonies.

DOCENTS are available during these hours to escort you to your flag(s) and are happy to take photos for you.

NEW THIS YEAR! Bring a laminated 5″ x 7″ photo of your hero(es) for whom you dedicate a flag and our docents will attach it to the flag for you at no charge. You may also want to add a short story on the back of the laminated photo about your hero! 

HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS! Donate a new unwrapped toy throughout the week of the Field of Honor® in support of Brown Santa of Williamson County! Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there on Sunday, 11/5 and on Veterans Day, 11/11 to receive toys or gift cards and to take photos at their sleigh! Santa will be very patriotic wearing his special Civil War era suit as seen in Harpers Weekly, January 3, 1863!

Below is a list of events for the 2023 Field of Honor®. Visit frequently to see updates as our offerings develop. We have exciting events in the works for this year!

EXHIBITS AND ACTIVITIES

VISIT THE ROTARY CLUB OF GEORGETOWN’S INFORMATION CENTER to learn about the many humanitarian and charitable initiatives and service projects this Club provides. Rotary’s motto of SERVICE ABOVE SELF is demonstrated both locally and internationally. YOU TOO CAN BE A ROTARIAN! Get information on how to become a part of this dynamic 130+ member club. By the way, it is not your grandfather’s Rotary Club anymore! We are a diverse group of dedicated people that want to make a difference by serving the needs of our community and contributing to PEACE and UNITY in the world. VISIT US at the Field of Honor® and explore our website at georgetownrotary.org. 

The Human Trafficking Awareness trailer will help inform families and individuals about the most prevalent criminal activity that is impacting our youth. Learn about ways to recognize the ways that traffickers are abducting youth and adults for sex trafficking, and how to avoid being a victim of this horrific crime. Visit the trailer at the posted times for an insightful tour throughout the week. Tour times will be posted at the field. The Rotary Club of Georgetown Foundation has undertaken this initiative by acquiring this trailer, and makes it available to organizations that want to help further the cause of raising awareness at their events. CONTACT US for more information on how to schedule the trailer. 

Visit the Rotary Club of Georgetown’s PEACE GARDEN that features a Peace Pole that helps inspire peaceful interactions and conversations. Six Peace Gardens have already been placed in local middle schools. TEN additional GISD schools and Southwestern University will soon also have a Peace Garden, provided by the Rotary Club of Georgetown!

The “Dear Hero” Station is provided again this year by Vacation Liberty School for adults and kids of all ages to write encouraging notes to hero(es) they don’t know, but who will be delighted to receive a kind note, knowing that someone cares about them. Kids can also draw a picture or make a card. These messages will either be sent to active duty soldiers or given to local first responders along with “Adopt-a-Hero” flags. This is something the whole family can do to uplift the spirits of heroes that selflessly protect and serve, near and far.

The Painted Flag on the Field will again be at the foreground of the 16 foot Observation Deck – provided by Ktec – overlooking the entire field. Imagine the amazing photos and videos you can take!

Quilt of Valor Ceremonies by Poppy’s Quilt of Valor will again be presented this year. Nominate a veteran that has not yet received a Quilt of Valor to participate in this emotional ceremony and to receive a quilt lovingly made by members of the Poppy’s Quilt n’ Sew group. All are welcome to participate in these ceremonies! 

The dates and times that the ceremonies will take place is as follows:

Sunday, 5 November between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Monday, November 6 between 2:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Click HERE to nominate a veteran (even yourself) for a Quilt of Valor.

Be sure to name Poppy’s Quilt of Valor as the coordinating organization through whom the nomination will be processed. A patriotic quilt will presented to the nominee during a ceremony at the Field of Honor® at a scheduled time. All are welcome to attend these meaningful ceremonies!

NOTE: The above schedule is subject to change as our exciting plans evolve. Visit the website often to get the latest information and times for each days’ events! 

Saturday, November 4

9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (0900- 1800) 
First day open for new flag sales and flag reposts!

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (1130 – 1230) The Marine Corps League will present their inspiring Marine Corps Birthday Cake Cutting Ceremony!
All who attend can enjoy a piece of cake as long as supplies last. Be among those who eat cake in celebration of the Marine Corps’ 238th birthday!

2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. (1400-1445) The emotional US Submarine Veterans Tolling of the Boats Ceremony will take place in the event tent. All are welcome to attend this historic and meaningful ceremony.

Sunday, November 5

1:30 p. m. (1330) – Don’t miss the majestic Opening Ceremony, with dynamic guest speakers, an invocation hymn by the noted a cappella singers, Tonal Harmony, the amazing 36th Infantry Band of the TX National Guard, great Static Displays, fabulous Flyovers by the Devil Dog and the Falcon Flight Formation Team, the inspiring Parade of Colors, a Rifle Volley from the Georgetown Police Department, the exciting Williamson County Sheriff’s K9 Demos, and MORE! ASL for the hearing impaired will be provided by Zoey Fischer during this ceremony.

The first Opening Ceremony Guest Speaker is Command Sergeant Major Michelle L. Thompson from the Texas National Guard at Camp Mabry. She serves as the Senior Enlisted Advisor (SEA) to the Deputy Adjutant General – Army for the State of Texas. She also works with the Chief of the Joint Staff to prepare the state for contingency operations in either a federal or state emergency. Click HERE to see her full bio.

Our dynamic Keynote Speaker for the Opening Ceremony is Rear Admiral Christina “Tina” Alvarado (ret) Shanahan, United States Navy. She is a registered nurse. Upon promotion to admiral, she served as Deputy Commander of Navy Medicine East, was the first nurse to command Naval Reserve Expeditionary Medical Facility, and was also the Deputy Chief, Reserve Policy and Integration.  In addition to an illustrious Navy career, Admiral Alvarado Shanahan is a 3-time World Champion Equestrian, and was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame! Click HERE to see her full bio.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be at the Opening Ceremonies! They will receive your donations of new unwrapped toys or gift cards and will be available for pictures in Santa’s Historic Civil War era suit as seen in Harper’s Weekly January 3, 1863! Click HERE to see the Harpers Weekly Santa patriotic suit.

The Williamson County Sheriff’s K9 Unit will present three demos throughout the day at 10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. Don’t miss seeing these wonderful K9s and their handlers and watching how they work to protect and serve our community!

At 4:00 p.m. (1600), enjoy the exhilarating Central Texas Philharmonic Patriotic Pops Concert at GHS Performing Arts Center as a partner of the Field of Honor®. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets! 

Monday – Thursday, November 6-9

Coordinated with the Georgetown Independent School District, School Field Trips are scheduled throughout the day for students to visit three stations at the Field of Honor®: The Historical flags of the US and Texas and the Military and First Responder flags, a presentation on the Revolution and the Civil War presented by volunteers from Field of Honor® partners, the Williamson Museum, and a dynamic, interactive panel of veterans and first responders. Upon returning to their classrooms, students will receive their own copy of a pocket Constitution and a Field of Honor® Keepsake Program, courtesy of the Rotary Club of Georgetown, TX.

Tuesday, November 7 

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce members are welcome to attend the Business Network Luncheon (Ticketed event – members only) from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (1130 – 1330)  CLICK HERE to register for this luncheon! 

Thursday, November 9

Plan to attend a special screening of BRIDGE OF SPIES in the event tent at 4:30 p.m. (1630) at the Field of Honor®! Guest speaker, historian, and author, Gary Powers, Jr. collaborated with Stephen Spielberg on this iconic movie. He will provide commentary after the movie to provide an accurate account of his father’s famous U-2 flight. US History buffs and anyone interested in learning more about the Cold War and learning more about the U-2 incident will enjoy this screening and Gary Powers’ enlightening commentary.

Friday, November 10

10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (1000-1100) Village Elementary School Children’s Choir will provide a series of patriotic songs that will capture your heart! All are welcome!

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (1400 – 1500) Guest Speaker, Historian, and Author, Francis Gary Powers Jr., son of the famed Frances Gary Powers Sr., will provide a dynamic 1-hour presentation at 2:00 p.m. (1400) entitled, “Spy Pilot: Francis Gary Powers, the U-2 Incident, and a Controversial Cold War Legacy.” There will also be a book signing opportunity immediately following the presentation. All are welcome in our event tent for this insightful program!

GARY POWERS, JR. lectures internationally and appears regularly on C-SPAN, the History, Discovery, and A&E channels. He is the son of Gary Powers, Sr. the U-2 pilot whose plane was shot down over the Soviet Union in 1960, triggering an international incident during the Cold War. He is the author of Enemy Territory (2022), Letters from a Soviet Prison (2017), and Spy Pilot (2019) which all help to dispel the misinformation surrounding the U-2 Incident. Click HERE for a full bio for Frances Gary Powers Jr..

Saturday, November 11

11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. (1100-1215): Join us for a dynamic Veterans Day Ceremony with Keynote Speaker Lt. General Jim Huggins (ret)! A flyover by the Falcon Flight Formation Team will delight all in attendance! Enjoy the music of the Community Band of Central Texas, a moving invocation hymn by the notable A-capella Tonal Harmony singers, a performance by the Sun City Sassy Ladies, and the splendid background of the field of waving flags during this meaningful ceremony. The bells will toll at 11:11 a.m. (1111) in honor of Armistice Day. ASL for the hearing impaired will be provided by Miss Zoey Fischer. The presentation of the Rotary Club of Georgetown’s Patriot of the Year award will be the exciting culmination of this patriotic event!

General Jim Huggins (ret) serves as a Partner at McChrystal Group leading business development, operations, and client team execution. Additionally, Jim oversees strategy and leadership development services to Fortune 500 companies and beyond in energy and distribution, healthcare, IT, higher education, government, and other sectors. Prior to joining McChrystal Group, Jim served in the US military for 35 years, retiring as a Lieutenant General. In his final position, Jim served as the Director of Operations for the United States Army and as the principal advisor to the Secretary of the Army and Chief of Staff of the Army on joint matters, National Security Council matters, and the politico-military aspects of international affairs. In this role, he directed the resourcing, restructuring, and execution for 1.1 million soldiers, 330,000 civilians, and a $170 billion budget. Prior to this role, he served as the commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division from 2010 to 2012 and NATO Regional Command South (Kandahar) Afghanistan. Click HERE for a full bio.

SANTA and MRS. CLAUS will make another appearance throughout the day to collect the donations of new unwrapped toys in support of Williamson County Brown Santa! Did we mention that Mrs. Claus also serves as a Rotarian? SERVICE ABOVE SELF!

Gary Powers, Jr. – Book signing. 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. (1230 – 1330)

Flag pick-up begins from noon to 5:00 p.m. (1200 – 1700)

Sunday, November 12

Flag pick-up from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (0900 – 1500)

Flag Pick Up Days and Times

PICK UP YOUR FLAGS BEGINNING ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, NOON to 5:00 p.m. and SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12 FROM 9:00 a.m. TO 3:00 p.m.!

PLEASE NOTE: FLAGS NOT RETRIEVED BY 3:00 P.M. ON SUNDAY, 11/12 BECOME THE PROPERTY OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF GEORGETOWN. If you cannot arrange to pick up your flag(s), please be sure to request shipping upon checkout.