Details of my time as Chair of the Field of Heroes

1. DAVID P. WARTEL
Chair, Field of Heroes
Westerville Sunrise Rotary
Westerville, Ohio
2011-2014

2. Organizational Overview
• Chartered in 1994, the Westerville Sunrise Rotary Club is
one of two Rotary clubs in Westerville, Ohio. It is
comprised of approximately 100 business and community
leaders who live and/or work in Westerville.
http://www.westervillerotary.org/

3. Event Overview
• Hosted each Memorial Day weekend by the Westerville
Sunrise Rotary Club, the Field of Heroes is an opportunity
to honor your personal heroes - whoever they are... a
family member; a friend; a veteran; a member of the
armed services; a favorite teacher; a police officer; a
firefighter or any other person who has made an impact
on your life.
• The Field of Heroes offers a unique and moving way to
honor your heroes by flying a flag with a custom tribute in
a spectacular display of 3,000 American flags across from
the Westerville Community Center.

4. Event Overview (continued)
• Standing 8 feet tall and measuring 3' x 5', the flags are
situated in perfect rows to create an inspirational display
that visually represents each individual hero joining
together with others to form a community.
• Themed programs run throughout the weekend, including
opening and closing ceremonies, a flag retirement
ceremony and a free Saturday evening concert.
• Annual tribute displays complement the Field of Heroes,
paying homage to a special set of heroes.
• The 5K Run/Walk for Heroes is hosted at the Field of
Heroes to provide an opportunity to honor heroes in a
truly unique and inspiring setting.

6. Field of Heroes Event Highlights
• Has become one of Westerville’s largest events and
has a very high profile in Rotary International
• Each year, purchasers from more than a dozen
different states ship dedicated flags to as many as 90
zip codes in 19 states
• Garners extensive media coverage each year
• Approximately 28 stories totaling more than 31 minutes of
coverage for a total Nielsen audience of more than 2 million
viewers
• Received coverage on WCOL, in local newspapers, and
Columbus Dispatch
• Event costs are supported by local, regional and
national businesses

7. Opening Ceremony

8. 122nd Army Band Concert

9. 5K Run/Walk for Heroes
• 300+ participants in
inaugural year

10. Community Engagement
Flag Retirement Ceremony led by the
Mallsannuk Chapter,
Order of the Arrow,
Boy Scouts of America
Free bus tours of Westerville
memorials guided by Police
Explorer Post 29

11. Special Features
Lima Company Memorial: The
Eyes of Freedom
• Displayed at Westerville City
Hall
Korean War Tribute
• Celebrating the men and women
who served our country in the
Korean War so that it is the
"Forgotten War" no more.
• Presented by the Westerville
Committee of Honor Flight
Columbus.

16. Closing Ceremony

17. Event Chair Responsibilities Summary
• LEAD COMMITTEE OF 30+ ROTARY AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS
SERVING IN FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF:
• Community Engagement and Patron Relations
• Field Setup, Operations and Logistics
• Volunteer Services
• Guest Services, Order Processing and Fulfilment
• Race Operations
• Programs
• Marketing, Media Relations and Social Media
• Fiscal Management, Club and District Relations
• OVERSEE COMMUNITY OUTREACH EFFORTS, INCLUDING:
• Community Advisory Board
• City Manager’s Office, Parks and Recreation, and Police Division
• Affiliated sales organizations and presenting partners

18. Selected Leadership Accomplishments
• CONDUCTED STRATEGIC AND BUSINESS PLANNING
• Created a sustainable brand and business model, helping make
the Field of Heroes a signature annual event in Westerville.
• DROVE ORGANIZATIONAL AND PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS
• Made the committee and event a more efficient and repeatable
enterprise.
• ESTABLISHED A MORE COMPREHENSIVE MODEL OF EVENT
FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT
• Helped improve accountability to board of directors.

19. Strategic Goals Achieved
• Provide a unique and moving “signature” community
•
•
•
•
event
Respectfully honor all heroes: fallen, living veterans and
actively serving military, as well as public servants and
civilians
Become a desired annual tradition for our guests
Provide volunteers with an experience they will never
forget
Build and maintain a sustainable brand, organization and
event business model

20. Central Ohio’s
Memorial Day Weekend Tradition

21. For More Information
Fieldofheroes
@FieldofheroesOH
#fieldofheroes
Fieldofheroes channel
Field_of_Heroes_OH
#fieldofheroes
www.fieldofheroes.org
Westerville Sunrise
Rotary