Over Memorial Day weekend, our Baltimore landscape management team was given the opportunity to participate in a truly inspiring community project honoring the servicemen and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom.
The Field of Honor® at Erickson Living’s Charlestown Retirement Community in Catonsville, MD hosted by Hubbard Funeral Home is an inspiring display of the Stars and Stripes. As in past years, the display will feature 1,000 full-sized United States flags flown atop 8-foot poles inside the 110-acre Charlestown campus. Community members are invited to purchase flags in dedication to those who have defended our nation and each flag will have a tag identifying the individual honored. Proceeds benefit the Charlestown Benevolent Care Fund and Warfighters Sports Program, a nonprofit that provides adaptive sports to severely wounded veterans free of cost. This moving display brings the community together and gives added meaning to the Memorial Day holiday.
Pictured L to R: Edwin Abarca, Jorge Torres, Bryson Berish, Terrence Medley
Our Baltimore landscape management branch works with Erickson Living to maintain the Charlestown property and is proud to be a Patriot Sponsor for the Field of Honor® display program. Patty Pescrille, business developer in our Baltimore branch, said, “We just started working with Erickson Living on the Charlestown community in early April, but when we heard about this event we were excited at the opportunity to be a part of it.”
The crew from our Baltimore branch, lead by area manager Erich Schupp and field manager Bryson Berish, have been busy preparing the field in the weeks leading up to the event. Two days prior to the installation of the flags, Bryson’s team prepared the field one final time with precision-sharp mowing lines to aid in spacing of the flags.
“It’s been fun getting the guys mentally prepared for the event, just making sure they’re sharp and producing the best possible product for hundreds to see,” said Bryson. “We were all excited to see the final product of so many flags flying high on a job we worked hard on!” Bryson’s team members include Esteban Avila, Tom Howard, Terrance Medley and Edwin Abarca. Their crew had additional help from assistant field manager Ryan Brown and crewman Jorge Torres.
On Thursday, event volunteers began the installation process by spray painting small spots in even rows across the field for the placement of the flag poles. On Friday, additional volunteers set up chairs for the flag ceremony that evening, which was followed by a Fireworks display. Opening ceremonies were held Saturday morning following a 5K Run & 1-mile Walk. Over 100 volunteers facilitated the setup of the Field of Honor® display – Patty, Erich and Bryson among them. They will return on Tuesday to help with the take down-process.
“Personally, I’m proud to know my father’s name is tagged on one of those flags,” said Patty. “He was drafted into the Navy in 1943 and became a coxswain – that’s the crew member who steers the boat and coordinates the rhythm of the rowers. He fought in WWII and was there on D-Day. He received an honorable discharge in 1946 and in 2000 was presented with a Combat Action Medal from the Navy for his role in the Invasion of Normandy.”
Pictured right: Patty’s father, Robert McGee Green, in his Navy uniform circa 1944
Erich’s grandfather also served in WWII and has a flag honoring his memory in the Field of Honor®. “It is incredible to see the number of flags spaced across the field and understand what they represent,” said Erich. “Being able to experience the event and seeing how important it is to the residents and the staff is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by those who have defended our country.”
For more information on Charlestown’s Field of Honor® event, visit below: