The opening ceremony for the Field of Honor was held at Garrison Park in Crossville this afternoon.

The Lake Tansi Exchange Club, in conjunction with the Colonial Flag Foundation, hosted the second annual event.

Officials say last year 500 flags were displayed in the inaugural event.

This year, there are just over 700 flags.

Each flag represents a soldier who served in the armed forces.

Everyone is welcome to walk among the field free of charge and see the names of a soldier honored on each flag.

Each flag was sponsored by an individual honoring the memory or service of a veteran.

The money raised from the sponsorship will go toward helping American veterans, prevention of child abuse, and other Exchange Club projects benefitting Cumberland County.

The opening ceremony consisted of the national anthem, America the Beautiful, and the armed forces medley performed by the Cumberland County High School band.

The Cumberland County Veterans Chapter 1015 was in charge of the presentation of colors and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Schoolfields Battery CS/6th Ohio Light Battery fired the saluting cannon.

Cumberland County Sheriff Casey Cox served as master of ceremonies.

Tim French with I Walk 4 Them was on hand for the ceremony.

Senator Paul Bailey was the distinguished speaker for the opening ceremony.

Senator Bailey commented on the Field of Honor activity:

The weekday program will be from 5 until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. It will consist of contest winners and a combined elementary and high school band performance. The all-county elementary choir will sing a selection of songs.

The closing ceremony will start at 1 p.m. Saturday, November 11, 2023 at the Field of Honor. Congressman John Rose and Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster will be the featured speakers.