Memorial flags will return to Oak Brook to commemorate the event that changed the country forever

By Sophia Schiappa | Photo courtesy of the Village of Oak Brook

Thousands of American flags will cover the grounds of Oak Brook once again this summer to honor military personnel, first responders, and victims of 9/11. Arranged in near-perfect rows, the memorial invites visitors to reflect, remember, and honor those who have served their communities and country.

The display, known as the Healing Field, transforms Oak Brook’s Polo Grounds into a sea of red, white, and blue. American flags fly in sync, with each representing the lives touched by sacrifice, courage, and resilience. For visitors, the experience is both visually striking and deeply emotional. Jerry Christopherson, the president of True Patriots Care Foundation, started the project while he was working as the building manager at a local high school.

“All the schools were closed the rest of the week after 9/11, but the following week they wanted to get everything back to normal. We had a football game scheduled for Friday night, and I thought we should do something for the lives that were lost,” said Christopherson.

Christopherson and his team were able to secure 1,000 American flags in less than a week. Between games that Friday night, players and cheerleaders lined up, each carrying a flag and candle in remembrance of the lives lost.

“I thought we should do something for the lives that were lost.”

– Jerry Christopherson

That first tribute planted the seed for what would eventually become the Healing Field. As the fifth anniversary of 9/11 approached in 2006, Christopherson began exploring ways to create a large-scale display of American flags. His initial plan involved mounting thousands of flags on metal conduit poles until a friend pointed out a potential flaw.

“You do realize that if you use metal conduit, you’re basically installing 3,000 lightning rods?” his friend joked. “If there’s a storm in Rockford, the lightning will find your field.”

The idea was quickly shelved, but Christopherson remained determined to find a way to bring his vision to life. A short time later, he discovered the Colonial Flag Foundation in Sandy, Utah, which had created a similar display using seven-foot PVC poles instead of metal. The concept provided the solution he had been searching for. “The rest is history,” Christopherson said.

Five years later, Christopherson hosted his first Healing Field in West Dundee to mark the 10th anniversary of 9/11 in 2011. Among those in attendance was Oak Brook’s police chief, who encouraged him to bring the tribute to Oak Brook. The Healing Field debuted in Oak Brook the following year and returned in 2016 and 2021 to commemorate the 15th and 20th anniversaries of the September 11 attacks.

The Healing Field has become a meaningful tradition in Oak Brook, drawing veterans, families, first responders, and community members from across the Chicago area. Presented in partnership with the True Patriots Care Foundation, the event honors military personnel while also recognizing police officers, firefighters, healthcare workers, and others who have dedicated themselves to serving others. This year’s display carries added significance as the nation marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

As guests walk among the flags, many pause to read dedication messages or reflect quietly beside the memorial displays. Christopherson and his staff regularly update biographies of the victims, helping ensure their stories continue to be remembered. Unlike a traditional memorial ceremony held for only a few hours, the Healing Field allows visitors to experience the tribute at their own pace over several days. The display is open to the public from September 9 through September 13.

In addition to the flag display itself, past Healing Field events have included opening ceremonies, musical performances, guest speakers, and tributes recognizing veterans and first responders. For many visitors, the Healing Field serves as both a memorial and a place of connection. Veterans, military families, and community members often share stories and reflections while walking through the field, while parents use the display as an opportunity to teach younger generations about service, sacrifice, and the lasting impact of 9/11. Although Oak Brook hosts the Healing Field every five years, smaller displays are held throughout Illinois.

When the flags rise once again over Oak Brook this September, they will represent more than a patriotic image. Together, they will stand as a communal tribute to sacrifice, service, and healing.

Visit the Healing Field from September 9 – 13 at the Oak Brook Polo Grounds. For more information, visit truepatriotscare.com.