Kiwanis Field Of Honor Doubles In Size

New Smyrna Beach, FL - The Kiwanis Foundation of Southeast Volusia’s Field of Honor has never been at a lack of flags, but in their third year of hosting the event, they have nearly doubled their totals. "Our first year we had 96, second year we had 188, this year, like you said, we doubled it," said Larry Pelliccioni, a member of the Southeast Volusia Kiwanis during an interview with News Daytona Beach. The field, which can be found at Riverside Park in New Smyrna Beach, features 374 flags, each with the name of a veteran, an active service member, or, for the first time since it’s inaugural year, the name of a first responder—which includes police, fire and those in the medical field as well. "We had to expand that definition to include the firemen, the policemen, the nurses, the doctors," said Pelliccioni. "The people who are on the front lines of battling this disease (COVID-19)." And, in the spirit of the Kiwanis motto, "serving the children of the world," residents will find that the flags do just that. Pelliccioni said the flags don’t just pay a tribute to a hero, the donations received from those who purchased a flag banner will stay in the community and help children around Volusia County—through scholarships for students and grants for teachers. "It just enriches the community," said Pelliccioni. "We’re not lining our own pockets here. We’re helping out folks that need help at the expense of those who served these folks so heroically." Unfortunately, donations for flag banners have closed, but there will be a chance next year, along with a chance to get a flag displayed at another field. Per Pelliccioni, the Southeast Volusia Kiwanis club is actually planning on expanding the Field of Honor with a second location in Edgewater for next year. An exact location is not yet available. Residents will be able to view the flags until November 29th.