A full week of commemorative activities dedicated to 9/11 victims has been scheduled in Prescott Valley, Sept. 6-11.
Thousands of people are expected during the week, according to Heidi Dahms-Foster, communications relations coordinator for the Town of Prescott Valley. She said they would be not only from the region but also from throughout Arizona and adjacent states.
“Planning for this town-sponsored event began almost a year ago,” she said, ”after the Town Council received so many favorable and praising responses for sponsoring this unique tribute to Americans.”
More than 3,000 American flags will be displayed east and south of Civic Center campus, 7501 E. Civic Circle.
Free Patriotic Concert is Major Innovation
A highlight of the week’s memorial services will be a free patriotic concert featuring the Prescott POPS Symphony Orchestra. The concert will be the first of its kind at the recently constructed outdoor performance stage at the southeast corner of Civic Center offices.
“Our annual Healing Field commemoration is intended to honor the 9/11 victims, firefighters, police, first responders, veterans – all those to whom we are indebted for their service,” said Prescott Valley Mayor Harvey Skoog. “We’re pleased to have the POPS Symphony Orchestra join us in honoring those who protect the public from threats, which can impact our lives, our communities and our freedoms.”
The POPS will perform a full concert of mostly patriotic music, said Joe Place, POPS music director and conductor. “The orchestra will play many familiar songs, among them, The Star-Spangled Banner, God Bless America, America the Beautiful and the Armed Forces Salute. And of course, we’ll play the always popular Sousa march, Stars and Stripes Forever.”
One special dedicated piece, Flight of Valor, will commemorate those who lost their lives, he added.
Soloists and possibly a vocal ensemble will perform during the concert. “We’ll want the audience to join in on some of the numbers.”
Place says orchestra members feel honored to be a part of the week of Healing Field events. “They are aware that performing in an outside venue will be a challenge for the orchestra, but our musicians are willing to spend extra hours in rehearsal for this special concert.”
Acknowledging the invitation from the town to the orchestra to perform was Jim Howard, POPS board of directors president. “What a terrific way to bring people from the Quad Cities area together and let them hear a performance by musicians from the greater community.”
He noted that the musicians range in age from the mid-teens to the mid-80s. “For a volunteer orchestra, we think it’s phenomenal that we have so many talented young student musicians representing schools from the Quad Cities area. Contrast that with some of the ‘senior’ musicians, some of whom have been with the orchestra since its founding 23 years ago.” Howard chuckled, “Some of these young musicians weren’t even born when the person they now sit next to first started playing in the POPS.”
The POPS orchestra was founded by Paul Manz, a Prescott native who taught music in the Prescott School system. Manz served as POPS music director and conductor from 1992 until his retirement in 2015.
Healing Field is Community Supported
The impetus for the Healing Field in Prescott Valley came from Town Council member Mary Mallory three years ago, when she observed a similar event in another community. Since then, the activity has become a signature program for the Town.
Helping organize the event is volunteer Darlene Packard. “I believe the Healing Field becomes hallowed ground from the moment the flags go up on Sept. 5 until they come down on Sept. 12. Having the beautiful music of the POPS symphony playing to the backdrop of more than 3,000 flags will be like sending a prayer to heaven for our heroes and our country.”
Town Council member Lora Lee Nye echoed Packard, “The joyful sounds of the POPS Symphony will lift our hearts and raise our spirits in thanksgiving for the lives we honor with the Healing Field.”
Also involved in planning the commemorative event is Deputy Town Manager Ryan Judy. He, his team and volunteers will spend hours preparing for the week’s event, especially the concert. “This will be, I believe, the first time the symphony has played in Prescott Valley, and we couldn’t be more pleased. The concert is a key element in an expanded week to honor those who bravely rush forth.”
Judy praised the many volunteers who set up and take down the displays. “It is a community-led effort from Day One – to establish this remembrance for those who gave their lives for freedom and those who continue to fight for it.”
Special commemoration services also are planned for Friday, Sept. 11, in memory of the tragedy that occurred 14 years ago. QCBN
Story and photos by Ray Newton, QCBN