Plano residents will have the opportunity to walk among a sea of red, white and blue this Veterans Day week as the city’s Flags of Honor celebrates its 10th anniversary. The tribute, held at the Red Tail Pavilion in Oak Point Park, features 1,111 American flags, each paired with a dedication card that tells the story of a veteran, active‑duty service member, or first responder, spanning from the Civil War to today’s heroes. According to NBCDFW, the display is free and open to the public 24 hours a day from Nov. 7 through Nov. 14.
Event co‑chair Lisa Bloomer emphasized the significance of the milestone, noting, “Every one of these 1,111 flags carries a name and a story… In America’s 250th year, it reminds us that our freedom has always depended on ordinary people willing to serve.” Founder Ean Sullivan added that the field offers a different experience depending on the time of day, from misty mornings to the soft chime of dog tags at night.
The week‑long celebration includes a full schedule of activities. The opening day, Saturday, Nov. 7, begins with a Patriots Run 5K and Fun Run starting at 8 a.m., followed by a Plano Safety Fair and Touch‑a‑Truck event from noon to 4 p.m., which will feature a fire‑truck pull and a planned helicopter landing. Sunday’s Colors of Courage Ceremony at noon will showcase a veteran on horseback presenting the American flag as part of the Stay in the Fight V.A.L.O.R. ceremony.
Veterans Day itself, Wednesday, Nov. 11, starts with a flag‑raising ceremony at 8 a.m., after which visitors are invited to explore the field, read the dedication cards, and conclude the day with Taps at sunset. The final day, Saturday, Nov. 14, will host Quilts of Valor presentations, performances by the Plano Civic Chorus and Plano Children’s Chorale, and a flag retirement ceremony conducted by Scouts at sunset. Additional attractions throughout the week include the Stars & Stripes and Vettes 4 Vets car shows, a Marine Corps birthday celebration, a Congressional Medal ceremony, military‑history demonstrations, a Patriot PAWS service‑dog demonstration, and tethered hot‑air balloon rides (priced at $25).
Community members who wish to honor a specific individual can submit a dedication card at no cost via the Plano Flags of Honor website. Food trucks will be on site Nov. 7, 8 and 14, and the Texas Medal of Honor Circle and Collin County Fallen Hero Display will return, offering plaques and QR codes linking to official Medal of Honor citations. For a complete schedule, visitors can consult planoflagsofhonor.com.
What’s next: The flag display remains open around the clock until the retirement ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 14. Residents are encouraged to attend the daily Taps at sunset and explore the various family‑friendly events scheduled throughout the week.
Sources: nbcdfw.com, nbcdfw.com, nbcdfw.com
