Help made event special

To the editor:
The past two weeks have been an eye opening experience for me as general manager of Bearcreek Farms. During the months previous to the opening of The Midwest Healing Field, September 2nd, I watched a family attend meetings, with a minimal amount of volunteers attending.  But they continued to focus on the opening date of the Healing Field, comforting me that no matter what, the field of flags and activities would take place. On Friday, September 2nd, a day when the temperatures hit 95 degrees, I watched older men and women, most veterans, help drive rebar into the ground and start placing flags out in the field.  By late in the day and into the evening, the neighbors of Bearcreek Farms were pitching in.
I watched in amazement as our corner field became adorned with a display of more 2,000 American flags; a breathtaking sight. Bearcreek Farms was ready for opening day because a community of caring people came together to show respect for those giving their lives for others.
I want to thank several people that made this event an awesome experience: The Eischen Family of Ohio for all their hard work and dedication as the organizing chairs of the Midwest Healing Field and all accompanying activities; Jim Waechter (Museum of The Soldier); Art Booth (Geneva Fire Department), all the service workers of Mercer County for speaking at the event; the Traveling World Trade Center Museum; Mike Malone and his guys from New York City; the Jay County and Adams County firefighters, EMS Workers, sheriff’s departments and police departments for coming out when the weather was cold and rainy and supporting this special event; the neighbors of Bearcreek Farms who took individual pride in seeing that the road to Bearcreek Farms had flags and for decorating their yards; and especially to all the volunteers who helped assemble the flags, place the flags and eventually helped clean up.
I also want to thank the Fort Wayne television stations that took a special interest in this event, the numerous speakers, entertainment and The Commercial Review for continuing coverage through out the week, as well as PG14’s coverage.
Over the past week, I have discovered that everyone has a story to tell.  Some are about the losses of 9/11, some are war heroes sharing their experiences, and some are even stories about family members serving overseas.  By taking the time to listen to even one or two stories, you felt sad and at the same time good all over. I personally thank all of the visitors who attended this special event.  
This event wasn’t about Bearcreek Farms; it was about honoring the living who have served and are serving our country and community and those who have lost their lives protecting us. As one New York firefighter stated, “Everyone knows how many lives were lost on 9/11, but we need to remember all the lives that were saved and be blessed for that”.
A special thanks to my friends at Jay County REMC, for providing the poles for the grand flag, installing the poles and the grand flag and Cindy Denney for volunteering the REMC guys to help out any way that they could. Wallingford Coffee, the coffee supplier for Bearcreek Farms and Richards Restaurants, donated the lighting for the field and All Circuit Electric helped get the lighting in place.  
Thanks to everyone who made this a special memorable event.
Carla Strong Loy,
general manager,
Bearcreek Farms[[In-content Ad]]