New Martinsville will be the first West Virginia town to host the Field of Flags, with the memorial to be displayed on North State Route 2 from Aug. 12 through Sept. 4. The Field of Flags was dedicated in 2005 in Sommers, Conn., with 2,331 American flags–one for each American casualty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This memorial has traveled from Maine to Florida, and the flag count will be over 6,000 when it reaches West Virginia. In addition to the flags, the display includes a listing of casualties by name, rank, and state. A new flag will be added during a sunset service each evening a casualty has been reported.

New Martinsville will be the 49th location to join the prayer chain. The local installation will be hosted by the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and the New Martinsville United Methodist Church.

A dedication service, with participation by active military as well as veterans, will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the New Martinsville United Methodist Church. The public is cordially invited. For further information call 304-455-2382.