Field of Heroes Dedicated As Sacred Ground

Memorial day weekend begins with a rememberance of fallen heroes.

The Idaho Field of Heroes held it’s dedication ceremony today outside Century High School in Pocatello.

Each of the 6,421 handmade wooden crosses has the name, rank and date of death of an American serviceman or woman who paid the ultimate price Iraq or Afghanistan.

Staff Sergeant Jason Marshall brought his two young sons to this field of heroes.

Each got their name middle name from soldiers Marshall knew who didn’t come home.

He said walking through these rows of wooden crosses, he can feel them nearby.

“It brings back the memories just good and bad of the time we got to spend together and also the end when we were right there with them,? Marshall said.

Through the week volunteers painstakingly placed each of the thousands of white wooden crosses in straight rows and columns, each one dedicated to the memory of a soldier.

“I think it’s probably one of the greatest community acts I’ve ever witnessed in my life. Just the raw support that we’re not forgotten, that people are caring about us and praying for us and being there,? Marshall said.

Justin Sorensen also was among the families and veterans that came to remember someone specific.

“A soldier of mine, I had to pull him out of the bradley, and he had a newborn baby. Never got to see his kid, his daughter,? Sorensen said.

As time has passed since the start of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, some veterans said it seems like public notice has gone somewhere else and often the current troops aren’t remembered.

“That’s started to dwindle down a little bit, and I think a lot more people have forgotten that there’s still Americans deployed. so we need to remind them, and this is great way to do it,? Sorensen said.

The Idaho Field of Heroes is open through May 28.