Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival

Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival
Wednesday, Jun 14, 2023 at 8:00am
319-365-8313

More than just a three-week festival, the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival is a non-profit organization who works year-round to plan safe, family-friendly, and low or no-cost events for the community!

Schedule:

8:00am: Flag Raising Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Building

Join us on Wednesday, June 14th, 2023 as we kick off our 40th festival! As a nod to past Freedom Festival celebrations, we are bringing back a favorite event, where we gather in front of Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum and raise the flags!

Coffee and donuts will be provided beginning at 8 AM. Singing of the National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, and a quick word from our Board of Directors beginning around 8:30 AM. Special Thanks to the Am-Vet Riders Post 6 and the City of Cedar Rapids.

6:00pm - 9:00pm: Flag Retirement Ceremony & Celebration at Freedom Foundation

Please join the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival on June 14th as we honor our military and thank them for their service and sacrifice while retiring American flags. Ceremony will begin at 6 PM with the singing of the National Anthem and will conclude with a moment of silence and the playing of Taps. Names of Iowans who we have lost in 2022 will be read as flags are honorably placed on the fire to be retired.

When the United States flag becomes worn, torn, faded, or badly soiled, it is time to replace it with a new flag, and the old flag should be “retired” with all the dignity and respect befitting as a symbol of our nation. Like a fallen soldier, a flag that is being retired must be handled with reverence and dignity. The traditional method of retirement is to incinerate the flag, but this does not mean we simply drop the flag into the fire. Instead, the flag, like that fallen soldier, will be properly encased and prepared for cremation and burial. Join us to honor our military and educate your family about the respectful retirement of our American flag.

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