Field of Flags returning to park

Published 11:23 am Wednesday, June 29, 2016

A show of patriotism is coming back to Freedom Fest for the second year.

Multiple area veterans groups will again post about 55 flags as part of a field of flags along the trails of Bandshell Park starting Saturday morning. They’ll be posted throughout the Fourth of July festivities.

Legion Commander Kirk Olsen raises a flag last year. -- Herald file photo

Legion Commander Kirk Olsen raises a flag last year. — Herald file photo

“It went really well, the public enjoyed seeing it,” Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander Scott Wiechmann said of the first year.

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Austin Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sandy Forstner described the field of flags as a great addition to last year’s festival.

“We want to recognize our veterans as much as possible,” Forstner said.

The field of flags formed through a partnership between groups like the American Legion Post 91, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, the auxiliaries and other veterans groups.

The groups joined forces to buy the flags last year and plans to post them annually during the Fourth of July celebrations.