Rotary Installs a Sea of Old Glory at Arcadia County Park

This Memorial Day, The Arcadia Rotary Club and its members have created the second Field of Honor installing a Sea of Old Glory. 
– Photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News

This Memorial Day, The Arcadia Rotary Club and its members have created the second Field of Honor installing a Sea of Old Glory.

Bob Harbicht and Arcadia Rotary spearheaded this unique project at Arcadia County Park which was installed for the first time last Memorial Day weekend.

‘Old Glory ‘is a moniker for the flag of the United States. The original “Old Glory” was a flag owned by the 19th-century American sea captain William Driver (March 17, 1803 – March 3, 1886), who flew the flag during his career at sea and later brought it to Nashville, Tennessee, where he settled. Driver greatly prized the flag and ensured its safety from the Confederates, who attempted to seize the flag during the American Civil War. After the war, Driver’s daughter and niece feuded over who owned the original “Old Glory.” In 1922, both flags claimed to be the original “Old Glory” became part of the collection of the Smithsonian Institution, where they remain at the National Museum of American History.

Over 1,000 flags mark a corner of the park in an impressive show of patriotism, just in time for Memorial Day ceremonies which will take place Saturday, May 29.

Arcadia Field of Honor is a community-wide event designed to celebrate patriotism and honor those who have served our country and/or are special in our lives. Volunteer help is needed to run the Field of Honor.

Proceeds support local Rotary charities and a veterans’ memorial in Arcadia.

More from Arcadia Weekly