Cody Field of Honor: Honor & Remember With Us

For the Cody Heritage Museum, the Field of Honor was a meaningful community tribute showcasing up to 1,000 full-sized American flags displayed in recognition of local veterans, active military members, first responders, loved ones, and hometown heroes. Now, as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, the Field of Honor will serve as a featured centerpiece of Cody’s summer festivities.

It’s coming back this year, but with some changes. Before, they were displayed by the county building where the library is. This year, it will be from the Cody Heritage Museum extending to in front of the Park County Courthouse, City Park, and to the Chamber.

Flags will be on display from June 14th through June 30th.

We had a chance to ask Jenny Zink, the one who originally started this in Cody, about this.

How The Idea Emerged

“From 2012 to 2018, I put on what was a traditional Field of Honor program every Flag Day. It started June 14th and lasted for about a week. And that was because we weren’t open yet at the Cody Heritage Museum. So it was a fundraiser, to buy flags and commemorate the fallen with a name of an individual or individuals. Meaning someone who served, in any branch of the service. It could be a friend, family, relative, or first responder, or loved ones. So not exclusively military.”

Why Bring it Back This Year?

“This year is different. We are NOT selling the flags, these are FREE flags through the Wyoming Park County 250 Program. And we can take donations – If someone wants to donate. A commemorate tag will go into a holder. It will be tied to the bottom grommet. There will be 500 flags in total this year.

The 30th of June is the day the flags have to come down, as people will line the streets for the parades before the 4th of July. One flag per household for Park County residents only. A special thanks to Ralph Pate as he was and is a huge part of working with all the staking and placing flags through the Boy Scouts.”

Ralph is a retired United States Army Lieutenant Colonel. Not only is he current Committee Chairman for the local troop 78 Scout America, but also the Vice Commander of American Legion Post 20.

Donations & Dedications

Residents and visitors alike are invited to claim a flag in honor of America 250. Following the event, the claimee may choose to keep the flag as a commemorative keepsake or donate it.

To learn more about volunteering to help bring the event to life, or viewing the event schedule, please visit the Cody Heritage Museum, or call Jenny Zink at (307) 578-7118.

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