Liberty Park flag display honors veterans
About 100 miniature American flags, arranged neatly in rows over an area of roughly 50 square feet, will remain on display at Liberty Park through the Veterans Day holiday, a new tradition a local parks district hopes will grow over the years.
"Today as we look at this beautiful display this is our gratitude being expressed to our veterans for all that they do for this great country," Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh said during a Friday morning event to dedicate the display.
"And so today as we look at these flags, let us remember the price of freedom, the dedication of each of the veterans and let us say may God bless every veteran, may God bless the United States of America," Goh said.
The display — located on the north side of the park along Brimhall Road — was put up by the North of the River Recreation and Park District to recognize veterans during the Veterans Day weekend. It's the first year the district has put on the display, according to Jasmin LoBasso, director of community relations for NOR, but organizers intend to grow the display in each subsequent year, hopefully creating a looked-forward-to tradition.
NOR already hosts several programs for veterans, LoBasso said, particularly at the district's Rasmussen Senior Center, but officials wanted to do something that would draw people to public parks.
"We really wanted to start to do something that was really visual. We want people to come physically to our parks, enjoy the space," LoBasso said. "We know that people take this time off to be with their families. And so we wanted something where people could be with their families and acknowledge veterans at the same time."
Several local officials spoke at the dedication, including Goh, Bakersfield Ward 5 City Councilman Bob Smith and Kern County District 1 Supervisor Phillip Peters.
"This is a great time to remember that no matter what side of the aisle you're on politically, at the end of the day, we're all Americans and we're all blessed that we have the right to vote," Peters said. "We have our veterans to thank for that, for defending our rights and standing up for what it means to be American."
The display's dedication included a presentation of colors by two members of the Bakersfield Young Marines — a nationwide youth service group — and a performance of the national anthem by the Liberty High School band.
Amber Lee Haney, whose son Zach plays saxophone in the band, said she was proud to see her child perform at an event honoring the nation's veterans.
"They play the national anthem at the football games every year, but it's different when it's honoring people because you feel like it's truly just honoring the country no matter how many times you hear it," Haney said. "It's just honoring your country and making you feel proud of the country that we live in."
