JOPLIN, Mo. — For the fourth year in a row, a striking visual statement of more than 600 full-sized flags will mark Memorial Day weekend at the Field of Honor event in the town of Ijamsville, Md.

TAMKO Building Products is a proud sponsor of this event, and said it is even more proud that one of its own employees, Anthony Margiotta, founded the event in 2016.

As a 14-year TAMKO employee and veteran himself, Margiotta says the event is about highlighting service members and the sacrifices they make for our nation.

“My goal is to really engage youth organizations within the community to teach them about patriotism, sacrifice and about doing something that’s bigger than yourself,” said Margiotta. 

From dusk to dawn, local boy scouts show honor and respect by taking turns watching and patrolling the field to guard the flags that proudly display the names of the veteran or first responder that each flag is dedicated to honoring. While spectators come to observe the Field of Honor during the day, proper flag etiquette requires the American flag be illuminated during the hours of darkness, and many spectators come to observe the patriotic sight at night.

Along with the flag display, the weekend-long event also features a Sunday evening concert, educational youth activities and a ceremony with local speakers on Memorial Day. The ceremony will close with the sound of a bagpipe and a bugle playing “Taps,” a solemn military tribute for the fallen.

Over the last three years, the event has raised more than $50,000 for Building Veterans, a local nonprofit program that helps reintegrate veterans back into society. This year, funds will also go to America’s VetDogs, a service dog program that provides enhanced mobility and renewed independence to veterans, active-duty service members and first responders with disabilities.

TAMKO has long shown commitment to honoring veterans through its charitable giving. In addition to sponsoring the Field of Honor since its inception, TAMKO donates roofing material to several veterans focused organizations, such as Operation FINALLY HOME, Patriot PAWS and Homes for Heroes.

For more than a decade, TAMKO has also provided financial and flight support for transporting veterans through organizations such as the Veterans’ Airlift Command Hero Flights and the Honor Flight Network. Additionally, TAMKO recently honored first responders by hosting more than 400 law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel at the first-ever Red, White & Blue Banquet solely sponsored by the company.

 “Around 15 percent of TAMKO’s workforce has a military background and several of our employees serve as volunteer first responders in their communities across the nation,” said TAMKO President and CEO David Humphreys. “We are very fortunate to have such a large number of veterans and first responders as our friends and colleagues. We are thankful for their service to our country and their communities, and sponsoring the Field of Honor is a meaningful way to show our appreciation.”