Visitors pay respects to service members at Field of Honor in Raleigh

The Wake County Exchange clubs allowed visitors to pay their respects to service members at the Wake County Field of Honor Saturday afternoon.

"Every year, it's important to my wife and I to make sure our kids understand a little bit of our service in the military," said Ismael Berlanga, Army Chaplain, Active Duty.

Colors red, white and blue filled the West Raleigh Baseball Complex as people gathered to remember those who've given their lives in service of their country.

For the last four years, members of the Exchange Clubs and Angie Stafford, Division 3 Director, have filled the field with flags.

"These American flags are in memory and honor of various community heroes, veterans, military, law enforcement officers," said Stafford.

It's a tradition the club has participated in that dates back two decades.

"After 9/11, an Exchange in Utah, who owns colonial flags, where we get the flags from, he wanted to do something to commemorate the 9/11 tragedy," said Stafford. "So he put up over 3,000 flags in his hometown."

Now the Exchange Clubs around the country follow his lead by providing a chance to remember and a promise never to forget.

"I see each one of these flags, and I think of the families that carry on the memory," said Berlanga.

Flags are still available for purchase and the Exchange Clubs will hold a ceremony on Monday at 1 p.m.