The 13th annual Exchange Club of Murfreesboro “Healing Field – Flags of Remembrance” will be held Memorial Day weekend at 265 West Thompson Lane next to First United Methodist Church. The Healing Field is a program franchised by Colonial Flag of Sandy, Utah so this is a registered Healing Field.

Following the posting of flags the “Healing Field - Flags of Remembrance” will be honored with a prayer by Reverend Edgar Boles of Living Springs Baptist Church; Charlie Pigg, Colonel USAF (retired) will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

H. Stephen Smith, professor at Middle Tennessee State University, Tenor, will perform the “National Anthem” and lead the volunteers in “American The Beautiful”.

John Stracener, Colonel USAF (retired), and 2021 “Healing Field – Flags of Remembrance” Event Co-Chair will declare the “13th Annual Healing Field – Flags of Remembrance” officially open to the public. At that time, you may walk among the 3’ x 5’ flags on 8’ staffs.

Saturday at Dusk the Boy Scouts will have an official “Flag Retirement Ceremony”. Bring you old tattered flags so they can be appropriately disposed of. This is a very dignified and educational ceremony.

On Memorial Day, May 31, the closing ceremony will be at 5:00 PM for the “Healing Field - Flags of Remembrance” as John Hood, Past President of The National Exchange Club and founding member of The Exchange Club of Murfreesboro (chartered in 1951) will be Master of Ceremony. A prayer will be offered by Reverend Dr. Drew Shelly, Pastor of First United Methodist Church, followed by Todd Boswell playing “Amazing Grace” on bagpipes.

Colors will be presented by The Tennessee National Guard, with Michael Robertson, Eagle Scout, leading the “Pledge of Allegiance”.

Tim Atwood, Grand Ole Opry veteran and recording artist, will then present the “National Anthem” to be followed by “I’ll Stand Up and Say No”, and “You First”. Author Roxanne Atwood will join Tim in performing “The Old Ragged Flag Recitation”.

Major General Jeff Baker, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services, Deputy Adjutant General of The Tennessee National Guard will deliver a message on the purpose of Memorial Day.

Don Wright, Past President of The National Exchange Club and member of The Exchange Club of Murfreesboro will provide instructions on how sponsors may retrieve their flags, and announce the official closing of the “13th Annual Healing Field – Flags of Remembrance” following a 3 Rifle Volley by the Tennessee National Guard and then playing of “Taps” by David Hobbs.

For more information on the “13th Annual Healing Field – Flags of Remembrance” presented by The Exchange Club of Murfreesboro visit www.HealingField.org/MurfreesboroTN21 or call 615-641-0121. Information on The National Exchange Club, known as America’s Service Club, can be found at www.NationalExchangeClub.org.

Let us remember the real reason for Memorial Day.