Healing Field: Naperville Remembers

Although the Healing Field seems such a Naperville event, they actually take place around the country. However, because it's Naperville, we were greeted with warm summer like sunshine and temperatures in the lower 70s, even though it's November. Wandering around the flags gave off a warm glow that had nothing to do with the weather. Americans are patriotic at the best of times, but never more so than when honouring their loved ones who have served their country. Everyone was so proud, so happy, so keen to talk about the experience that you couldn't help but come away feeling you'd just been given a big hug.


There were plenty of children around too. Some just playing on a field on a sunny day, but others adding their own tags for family members.

Gail didn't fight for her country at all. In fact I interviewed her only two weeks ago, when she passed on her business, the Canterbury Shoppes, to a new owner because she was dying. She actually passed away two days later aged 54. She was well loved for all her good service to Naperville, not just in the store, so a flag seemed a fitting memorial for her too.

"I expect you danced with most of the men represented here," I heard this son joke to his mom as he tied a yellow ribbon round the flag pole.

Quite a sight. Just a few of the 2009 flags.

The Moser Tower stands majestically over the flags.