Starting this September, hundreds of American flags will once again rise in solemn tribute on the parade grounds of the Airborne & Special Operations Museum, part of Fayetteville’s annual Field of Honor display. Stretching from Sept. 11 to Nov. 11, the visual memorial offers a space for reflection, remembrance, and community unity.
This living exhibit, organized through the Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation in partnership with Cool Spring Downtown District, allows individuals to sponsor flags in honor of military members, first responders, and loved ones past and present. Every flag includes a customized dedication tag—some noting names, others carrying brief but meaningful messages.
Renee Lane, the foundation’s executive director, believes the timing of the display is as significant as its purpose.
“We’ve built the display to begin on 9/11 and conclude on Veterans Day. Those two dates mark moments that changed lives and shaped the spirit of our country,” she said.
Fayetteville, often called the “City of Military Glory,” is home to Fort Bragg, one of the largest military installations in the world. In this city, military service isn’t distant or abstract; it’s part of daily life. Lane says the Field of Honor represents that shared history and pride.
The field itself becomes a gathering place throughout its run. Some visitors come to quietly walk among the rows, others gather in prayer or conversation. The flags, arranged with care by volunteers, ripple in the wind, creating a moving sight both day and night.
“It’s a moment of stillness,” Lane said. “When you stand there, surrounded by those flags, you feel connected to something larger than yourself.”
The flags are sponsored by people from all over the country. Lane said adoptions have come from as far away as California and Maine. Each $50 donation not only secures a flag and personalized tag but also supports the museum’s educational programs and preservation work. Though the museum never charges admission, its mission to honor and tell the stories of elite military forces requires year-round support.
“Every flag helps sustain our work. But more importantly, every flag carries a name and a memory,” Lane said.
As a Smithsonian-affiliated institution, the museum sees thousands of visitors each year. The Field of Honor helps bridge generations, offering a tactile and emotional experience that speaks to both young visitors and lifelong residents. The display will remain open to the public 24 hours a day during its two-month span. Organizers say early mornings and twilight hours are especially popular times for visitors seeking solitude and meaning. After Nov. 11, sponsors may take their flags home or donate them back for future use. Lane encourages early sponsorships, as the display tends to reach capacity.
“Some people come to see one flag,” she said. “Others come to stand among them all. Either way, they leave changed.”

(Photo: The Field of Honor at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum is a poignant reminder of those who served. Photo courtesy of Airborne and Special Operations Museum Foundation Facebook page)