Disabled American Veterans’ Field of Flags campaign to honor service members

By Vicki Prichard
NKyTribune reporter

The Disabled American Veterans National Headquarters in Cold Spring is creating a Field of Flags in its own yard.

This weekend, DAV launches its Field of Flags campaign to allow families and friends to sponsor flags honoring their loved ones. The campaign will run through early September.

“This program is designed to engage the community and allow individuals a chance to honor a veteran close to their heart while rallying around a common fundraising goal that will help us to continue to help over one million veterans in life-changing ways each year,” says Dan Clasgens, DAV’s fundraising strategist.

Through donations to DAV, the public can honor veterans through the Field of Flags campaign in several ways — a virtual flag, a flag placed at DAV, or a flag for their home.

By visiting www.fieldofflags.org, donors have the option of a making a $25 gift which will place actual flag in their honor, or in honor of a loved one, at DAV’s headquarters at 3725 Alexandria Pike; a gift of $50 will receive a 3’ x 5’ flag, sent to the donors home; and for $10, a virtual flag in honor will be recognized on the DAV Field of Flag campaign website.

“The timeframe here was purposeful to focus the message around times where the public already reflects on the sacrifices so many men and women have made over the country’s rich history to give us our freedom,” says Clasgens.

DAV’s services are available to all veterans and their families, helping more than 300,000 veterans annually.

“A veteran’s injuries or illnesses can last a lifetime, and can actually become more crippling as the years pass,” says Susan Loth, DAV senior development officer. “I wanted to find a fun but respectful way to pay homage to those who served. This is simple, can be done virtually, and allows for community involvement without taking time away from daily activities.”