Healing Field in Salem on the 5th anniversary of September 11, 2001

The families of the fallen soldiers from Oregon will be able to take home the flags representing their loved one who has lost their life to Operation Iraqi Freedom of Operation Enduring Freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Photos courtesy: healingfield.org

(SALEM) - Several area groups are sponsoring a four-day Healing Field event for Salem’s Riverfront Park that runs through September 11th, 2006.

Since 2002, scores of Healing Fields have been displayed at many cities across the Country. The Mid-Willamette Valley was chosen as one of fifteen communities across the United States to be host to a Healing Field this year. More information on the group is available at: www.healingfield.org/salem.

Organizers say Salem's Healing Field includes thousands of flags in columns and rows. Each of the main field’s flags represents someone who perished on 9-11.

A second field represents those who have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9-11. Several ceremonies are planned in conjunction with the event.

This is another rare and noble event that Oregon's capitol city has been designated to host. There will not be another Healing Field in Oregon and the next closest location will probably be in Nevada.

The man who created the Healing Fields, Paul Swenson, says it is a project that started small. He recalled these thoughts from the first Haling Fields display.

"I sat in my car until after 3:00 AM on the morning of the 11th watching the reactions of the late-night visitors. One young woman I watched started at one end and, walking back and forth down the many rows of flags, touched every single flag. I knew she was mourning the loss of each and every victim in as personal way as she could."

Swenson says that by word of mouth, the area had become a traffic concern within 24 hours. It was estimated that over 50,000 cars in Sandy, Utah drove by in the first 24 hours.

"Fathers and mothers walked through with their children. Friends and family of those who died placed wreaths and flowers by many of the flagpoles. Soon I was hearing that it was the first time many had been able to cry since the attacks."

Swenson says many felt a healing take place inside their hearts, "You could not walk through the display without getting emotional."

Grant makes Healing Fields a reality.

A $10,000 grant provided seed money for Oregon’s 9-11 Memorial the Patriot Day Memorial Healing Field coming to Salem for the fifth anniversary of the attack of 9-11.

The four-day Healing Field event for Salem’s Riverfront Park runs through September 11th, 2006.

Business and individual sponsorships are needed to provide the funds necessary to purchase the flags. The flags that have flown on the Field will also be available for purchase before and during the event with pickup or delivery after the close of the event.

Two local charities have been selected to receive the bulk of the net proceeds from the Field. They are Family Building Blocks, and the Oregon National Guard Emergency Relief Fund.

The Boeing Company provided the $10,000 grant.