Mayor Suess Interviewed About Field of Honor, WGN9 News

WGN9’s “Around Town” Reporter Ana Belaval Discusses Wheaton’s Field of Honor at Seven Gables Park with Wheaton Mayor Phil Suess and Mike Bernard

“The Park District is very proud and grateful to play a role in this community tribute to those who served and sacrificed for our freedom.” —Mike Bernard, Wheaton Park District Executive Director.

“I think it’s a unique community event to Wheaton,” states Phil Suess, Mayor of Wheaton.

He goes on to explain that on each of the 2,026 flags there’s a tag, and people can tell a story about a veteran, service member or first responder in their lives. “It really honors what our country stands for, and more importantly, it honors those that have served—past and present.”

As they meander through the Field of Honor, Ana inquires, “Every morning, people send requests to purchase a flag in the name of someone they know or someone they knew who lost their lives protecting our freedom. How does that work?”

Mike replied that you can sign up online or visit the tent at Seven Gables Park where you can purchase a flag on behalf of a service member or first responder. The purchase goes toward funding the Field of Honor for the next year. After the week of it being displayed for all who visit the Field of Honor, the purchaser may take that flag home or give it to the person for whom the tribute was made. People who have purchased the flags and those who have received them will often display them at their homes all year long.

“This is the fifth year we’re doing this, so the number of flags out in the community is quite impressive,” Mayor Suess comments.

“It is such a beautiful way to honor our heroes,” Ana highlights.

The Field of Honor closed for the 2026 season on July 4th, but look for this wonderful tribute to return. Consider a service member or first responder you may honor with a flag in the coming year through the Wheaton Park District’s website.