Yountville, CA--Veteran resident, Merv Gourley generously donated an "American Fire Hose" flag to Borman Field at the Veterans Home of California, Yountville. Where it will be dedicated to firefighters and Borman Field in the month of October. Merv enlisted Captain, Ryan Chagonjian from Napa Fire Station 2 to design the flag. Together they worked on the flag and before long, Merv would be placing the final touches-her stars. "We can't think of a better place to display the "American Fire Hose" flag than on the walls of Borman Field. " Said, Jennifer Brusstar, CEO of the Tug McGraw Foundation after receiving Ryan's call the flag is ready. She further expressed, "During the 2017 Napa fires, that Borman Field's stands and snack shack not only provided a place of comfort for those that protected us but where center field took center stage as a landing pad for a helicopter."
Watch powerful scenes in how our Yountville community came together in 2017
On October 8, 2017, the devastating Napa Valley fires ignited. Bringing first responders in droves from all over the state and country. Because of Borman Field's location and proximity to valley fires, she became the "field of dreams" for over 400 firefighters for three nights and four days. The grand stands were filled with a new kind of fan-firefighters with sleeping bags. They were tired. With no power in the Napa Valley, perishables in the restaurant pantries would be lost. The Tug McGraw Foundation and Chef Bob Hurley seized the moment. They asked the baseball club if they would roll-up the snack shack windows, open the walk-in fridge and turn on the nacho and soft serve ice cream machines. Before long, the "snack shack" morphed into an outdoor diner thanks to the valley's chefs. Becoming a moral booster for the 800 Yountville Home residents, their employees and the firefighters who were on break and on fire watch.
Even the baseball diamond got a surprise player in the shape of a military helicopter. Whose moves hovered and landed in center field to fix its water basket. It was a scene...the parking lot was full of firetruck engines, chefs preparing food, veteran residents helping first responders with laundry, and knowing they should be resting they even found time to play a mean game of "Jenga" with the veterans.
Because of their presence, we felt safe and a feeling that our community would be okay. During that smokey month of October 2017, we furthered our strength as a community and found hope. Together we rooted for a new "Home" team-our nation's first responders.
Ya Gotta Believe-We will never forget! Thank you Merv and Ryan!
A dedication date with Merv, the first responders and the residents to be announced.
About Borman Field
Borman Field located on the grounds of the Veterans Home of California, hosted its first "base ball" challenge in the late 1800s where community would come to watch and picnic. A field where the Napa Valley community, American Legion, Joe DiMaggio, Napa Valley Baseball Club, Tug McGraw's Mixed Nutts and Station 12 have played for over a 100 years.
Photos and video by Jennifer Brusstar
Vintage Borman Field photo, provided by the archives of he Veterans Home of California, Yountville