WEST SPRINGFIELD – From Oct. 27 through Nov. 25, hundreds of American flags will decorate the West Springfield Town Common in honor of those who have served our country.

For the third year in a row, the West Springfield Lions Club will present the Veterans Park of Heroes in West Side. The purpose of the park is to pay tribute to veterans who have served, or who are currently serving, in the military. Individuals, families and companies can pay to dedicate a 3-by-5-foot flag to a veteran or group of veterans. Each flag costs $30 and will have a tag attached to it containing information about the honoree and sponsor. After Nov. 25, the sponsors can take their flags home as keepsakes.

The timing of the park intercepts with Veterans Day, observed on Nov. 11. The federal holiday honors veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces and marks the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I in 1918. Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans – living or dead – but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.

“The idea is to honor veterans. It’s great – especially when the wind is blowing just right and you can see all of the flags while driving by. It’s truly amazing,” said John LaDue, chairperson of the West Springfield Lions Club. “If you drive by and see those flags, and it doesn’t touch you in some way, shape or form, then it’s probably because you’re not looking.”

LaDue added that the event is not just for West Springfield, but for all of Hampden County.

The Veterans Park goes beyond remembering veterans. All money raised will go toward scholarships for students who have had a parent or grandparent serve in the military. Each scholarship is worth $750. During last year’s event, the club offered 19 scholarships to students across Hampden Country.

The scholarship fund is part of the Lions Club’s larger mission to “serve their community.” The global service organization is known for its volunteer work – whether it’s environmental, social or healthcare – and often supports local children and schools through scholarships, recreation and mentoring.

“Our mission statement is to serve – we want to give back to the community,” said LaDue. “We don’t serve like the military does, but this is our way to give back. A lot of the older veterans were disrespected when they came back from Vietnam. We want to honor them.”

The park will be open to the public between Oct. 27 and Nov. 25. LaDue encourages everyone “to walk through the flags, read names, listen to and share their stories of themselves, family members, friends and others who have given in many different ways so we are able to have the freedom to celebrate our flag.”

The deadline to sponsor a flag is Oct. 15.

For more information about the sponsorship process or flag prices, head over to the West?Springfield Lions Club Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WestSpringfieldLions/.