WATERLOO -- Students, police, firefighters and National Guard soldiers will parade 1,000 flags through downtown Waterloo Sept. 10 as the beginning of a 9/11 observance at Veterans Memorial Hall.

It's all part of the weekend-long "Healing Field" event commemorating the third anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on America and the nearly 1,000 U.S. troops who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan in the war on terrorism.

A procession will begin at 8 a.m. Sept. 10, from the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center down West Fourth Street to Soldiers and Sailors Park at Veterans Memorial Hall, said Frank Magsamen, Black Hawk County emergency management coordinator, said Frank Magsamen of the Waterloo Exchange Club, coordinator of the event.

"We're looking at Exchange Club members, members of law enforcement, fire, National Guard, students, ROTC, participatingin this, and representatives from the business community," Magsamen said. "If we have a couple of hundred people doing that, it'll take four or five trips" per participant.

The procession, coordinated with Waterloo police, will continue until all 1,000 flags are installed at Soldiers and Sailors Park, Magsamen said. The names of U.S. military personnel killed in the war on terrorism will be read as the flags are installed. Magsamen also is attempting to arrange a military fly-over during the flag installation, and an honor guard will present the colors.

Individuals and businesses are being asked to purchase the 1,000 flags for $25 each. Proceeds will benefit Veterans Memorial Hall.

The flags will be displayed Sept. 10-12 at Soldiers and Sailors Park outside Veterans Memorial Hall. Special commemorative programs, with music and speakers, will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 10 and from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 12. Specific schedules, speakers and musical performers for each day's program have not been finalized.

At the end of the Sept. 12 program, individuals who purchased flags may collect the banners for personal use in their homes and businesses.

The Healing Field is believed to be the only such observance in the state that weekend.

Individuals who want to buy a Healing Field flag should call Jenny Henninger at 233-9935. Those interested in purchasing commemorative T-shirts with the Healing Field logo for $10 in regular sizes should call Jackie Kugler at 230-7127.

Sponsorship inquiries are being directed to Dick Cole at 233-7780.

Pat Kinney can be reached at (319) 291-1484 or Pat.Kinney@wcfcourier.com