Every September, a striking display of American flags ripples across the lawn at Minnetrista Museum and Gardens. It’s not just a powerful visual tribute — it’s a weeklong expression of gratitude, remembrance, and community spirit known as the Flags of Honor. Now in its 13th year, this annual event is organized by the Exchange Club of Muncie, a local service organization with a century-long legacy of community leadership and civic engagement.
“It started with one member and an idea,” said Warner VanFleet, a longtime member and past president of the club. Rebecca Gill joined our club after moving from Utah, where she had participated in a smaller version of this event. She brought us the inspiration — and the energy — to do something meaningful and lasting for Muncie.”
Flags of Honor invites the public to sponsor a flag in honor or memory of a loved one — local veterans, current service personnel, fallen heroes, and all those who wish to display their pride for the country. For $30, a name is printed on a yellow ribbon attached to a flag that waves proudly on the Minnetrista lawn throughout the week leading up to September 11, Patriot Day. The event culminates in a moving closing ceremony at 6 p.m., starting with a performance by America’s Hometown Band. The event is free and open to the public.
But behind the beauty of the flags lies months of work — and a whole community effort.
One of Muncie’s most powerful traditions returns—Flags of Honor at Minnetrista, hosted by the Exchange Club of Muncie. Hear how one thousand American flags will stand tall in honor of veterans, first responders, and community heroes. Past president Jeffrey Heavilon shares the moving mission, the stories behind the flags, and how you can sponsor one.
A Labor of Love
“The logistics are intense,” VanFleet explains. “We lay out a grid with more than a thousand plotted points. Rebar is driven into the ground, and each flag is set by hand with the rebar holding it in place. It used to be our members doing the heavy work, but most of us are in our seventies or eighties now. That’s where Muncie Central’s Junior ROTC has been a godsend. They help us put the flags up and take them down, year after year.”
This partnership is one of many that make the event possible. Minnetrista provides the space and contributes signage, setup, credit card processing, and facilities support. Local law enforcement and veterans’ groups volunteer for overnight shifts to keep the flags safe, ensuring a 24-hour watch throughout the display period.
While individual ribbons bring in heartfelt contributions, the club’s real fundraising power lies in corporate sponsorships, which range from $100 to $2,500. Sponsors receive visibility through banners, media promotion, and event signage. More importantly, they become part of a mission rooted in service.
Proceeds from the event are distributed annually to four core beneficiaries — always nonprofits that support youth, families, or veterans. These vary from year to year. Last year’s recipients included Delaware County’s Prevention of Child Abuse Council, United Daycare, Ball State’s Guardian Scholars program, and Beyond I Can. Other funds support long-term partners such as Veterans Affairs, Toys for Tots, and the Salvation Army. None of the funds raised support the Exchange Club or its operations. Every dollar goes to help these meaningful charities.
“We only pick four charities, so our donations can make a real difference,” VanFleet said. “We want to give meaningfully, not just symbolically.”
A Club with Deep Roots
Founded in 1921, the Muncie chapter of the Exchange Club is one of the city’s longest-standing service organizations. As part of a national network in Toledo, Ohio, the club was historically composed of local professionals, school leaders, and civic-minded individuals.
VanFleet served as an administrator for Muncie Schools for many years prior to his retirement.
“When I joined the Exchange Club in 1989, [school] administrators were expected to join service clubs,” he recalls. “Some organizations around here have faded with time, but Exchange has stayed around — largely because we’ve evolved and stayed active.”
That activity has included programs like “Give a Kid a Flag to Wave” during the Ball State Homecoming Parade and Minnetrista’s 4th of July celebrations, maintenance of the Cardinal Greenway McCulloch Park trailhead, Delaware County Prevention of Child Abuse’s Pinwheel Project, and Kids Comfort Zoo — donations of small comfort items for children experiencing trauma, distributed through emergency responders.
More Than a Display
Flags of Honor has become a signature event for the Exchange Club and the city of Muncie.
People drive by and see the field of flags, but they might not know the stories behind them. It’s easy to overlook how much coordination, fundraising, and volunteerism it takes. But the result is powerful.
As the 13th annual display approaches, the club remains committed to making it more than just a photo opportunity. It’s a space for healing, remembering, and giving back. It’s also a reminder of what a small, dedicated group can do when they work together to serve others.
“We’re not a big club anymore,” VanFleet said. “But we’re mighty. And as long as we’re able, we’ll keep showing up — flag by flag.”
The Flags of Honor will be displayed on the grounds of Minnetrista from September 4 to September 11. Friends, families, and organizations can purchase a ribbon sponsorship to honor a loved one and display it among the flags by visiting mmg.ticketapp.org/portal/product/26.
Flags of Honor -A Tradition of Tribute and Service in Muncie