Symbols of Sacrifice at FS National Historic Site

elp Build the Field of Honor at Fort Scott National Historic Site 
 
Symbols of Sacrifice, Memorial Day Weekend
 
Fort Scott, Kan. – Fort Scott National Historic Site invites you to join the park in placing the flags for the “Symbols of Sacrifice” Field of Honor Friday morning, May 23, 2025. We welcome everyone to participate and encourage individuals and groups to plan on arriving at 8:30 a.m. and help as long as you are available.
 
Saturday, May 24th at 11 am and 2 pm, Join Dr. Michelle M. Martin for “Sisters in Sorrow: Kansas Women’s Sacrifices for Freedom”. From the founding of Kansas’ first military posts to the turbulent years of Bleeding Kansas, women played a crucial role in the enduring struggle for freedom and justice. As active participants in frontier life, they endured hardships, faced personal losses, and worked tirelessly to build strong families and resilient communities. This program explores the vital contributions of Kansas women during this formative period from 1843 to 1861, shedding light on how their experiences and efforts helped shape the future state of Kansas.
 
Symbols of Sacrifice continues the entire Memorial Day Weekend, Friday, May 23rd through Monday, May 26th. The Field of Honor will be open throughout during normal park grounds hours, from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset all weekend. Fort Scott National Historic Site also encourages volunteers to help us retire the display on Tuesday, May 27th. This is an all-weather event.
 
The Field of Honor with its approximately 8,500 flags commemorates the ultimate sacrifice members of the United States Armed Forces have made to keep this country free. Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. It originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.
 
Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, exhibit areas and visitor center are currently open Friday through Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.