Join our #CircleOfHope as we come together — for the seventh year in a row — to honor our veterans and military families in our community by planting thousands of flowers at Veterans Memorial Circle: the unusual veterans’ memorial bordering the Main/Auburn roundabout.

 

DATE and TIME

Saturday, May 10, 2025 – rain or shine

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

 

REPORTING TO DUTY

There are no assigned shifts, and we have no formal registration in advance.

Simply show up and join us for as long as you can.

Sign in at the GREEN TENT in front of Greenwood Cemetery. To save time, complete this form (required by the City of Rockford) in advance. Bring a print copy with you, or email a digital copy to helen@rockfordveteranscircle.org.

We will provide:

  • tools
  • safety vests
  • gloves
  • water
  • snacks – M&Ms and mini Hershey bars (two classics from military rations).

 

ASSIGNMENTS

At the check-in station, you will be directed to a work area:

  • the circle under the flag at the center of the roundabout
  • the fronts of the four monument walls
  • the medians north and south of the roundabout on North Main Street
  • the four raised beds in front of the businesses on the southwest side of the roundabout
  • the long bed on Auburn Street in front of Greenwood Cemetery
  • the bed at the entrance to municipal parking lot on the south side of the roundabout

 

If you have a group of family members or co-workers, or friends from a community organization that you’d like to work with, let Ernie Redfern, project supervisor, know soon as possible. Ernie will make sure you all have the same work zone.

Email ernie@rockfordveteranscircle.org or call Ernie at (312) 404-6452.

 

WHAT TO BRING

  • Your favorite gardening tools and gloves—if you’d prefer to use your own. Please make sure your tools are marked.
  • A completed version of the volunteer form required by the City of Rockford (so that you can save time at the check-in desk).

 

 

PARKING

  • Greenwood Cemetery near the Auburn Street entrance—please proceed respectfully!
  • Side streets on the NE, SE and SW quadrants of the roundabout.
  • After 2 p.m., when North End City Market closes, the city parking lot on the SE quadrant of the roundabout.

 

QUESTIONS

Email project co-chairs Ernie Redfern at ernie@rockfordveteranscircle.org or Helen Redfern at helen@rockfordveteranscircle.org.

Call Ernie at (312) 404-6452 or Helen at (708) 420-0800.

 

Project co-chairs Ernie and Helen Redfern