Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Rochesterfest is back for 2021, and one of the highlights of the event will be the Field of Flags, where people can honor heroes.

Those who interested can purchase a flag sponsorship through the Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation of Southeast Minnesota. According to a news release from the Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation of Southeast Minnesota, these flags are meant to honor all Americans including military soldiers, first responders, and heroes of the COVID-19 pandmeic.

“We are excited to honor the heroes of the pandemic with the Field of Flags as well as military veterans and first responders,” said Kevin Torgerson, Olmsted County Sheriff and President of the Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation of Southeast Minnesota. “The last 15 months taught us how important so many different professions are. A huge amount of community members stepped up during the pandemic and worked extremely hard. Help us celebrate them!”

There is a long list of people who have helped our communities during the pandemic: educators, medical and public safety personnel, truck drivers, childcare professionals, convenience store employees, and more. No matter their profession, people can honor someone special in their life.

There are two options for purchasing a flag sponsorship. The deadline is June 18th.

  • Online right here. 
  • Mail a check and include the name of the person(s) you are honoring to:
    • Law Enforcement Memorial
      Foundation of Southeast Minnesota
      (101 4th St. SE, Rochester, MN 55904)

The following are the sponsorship levels for honoring an individual person or a group of people.

  • $25 - Single Hero - 1 Flag
  • $100 - Squad/Unit - 4 Flags
  • $500 - Shift/Platoon - 20 Flags
  • $1000 - Division - 40 Flags
  • $2500 - Organization - 100 Flags

The flags will be flown at Soldiers Memorial Field Park in Rochester June 21st-26th during Rochesterfest. Flag sponsorships will also be available to purchase at Rochesterfest during various times.

All of the proceeds will benefit the Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation of Southeast Minnesota, and the donations are tax-deductible. The foundation is raising funds to build and maintain a Law Enforcement Memorial to honor and remember fallen officers of Southeast Minnesota. Construction on the project is expected to start this year.

Soldiers Field Memorial Park in Rochester, Minnesota, will be the location of the Memorial. It will honor fallen officers of Southeast Minnesota; currently, there are 30 officers that have given the ultimate sacrifice. The Memorial will represent the Municipal, State, Federal and Military agencies operating within Rice, Steele, Freeborn, Mower, Dodge, Olmsted, Goodhue, Wabasha, Winona, Fillmore, Waseca, LeSueur, and Houston counties. More information on the memorial can be found here. 

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