By: Ryan Duey
Photo Courtesy of American Freedom Tribute
Thursday, June 5th at 3:00 p.m. marks the beginning of the American Freedom Tribute Event with an opening prayer at the National Guard Armory in Concordia.
Rita Goodwin, Coordinator of this Project, said she worked to have this wall brought to Concordia 14 years ago, and with 58,000 names being added since that time, she felt the need to bring it back to the area.
“The American Freedom Tribute is an 80% replica of the Vietnam Wall in Washington, DC. The wall also brings in all the conflicts since the birth of this great nation, up to and including 911, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Somalia.”
“They donated the Armory to me, and just all kinds of wonderful people and things that happened to bring it. We need to remember that freedom is not free.”
The event runs through Sunday, June 8th, with various activities taking place each day starting at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, June 6th. Events and activities will include: a Ride of Honor, multiple speakers, live music, demonstrations, auctions, and much more.
Proceeds from this event go back to the veterans and area first responders. Goodwin said this is a way to say thank you to them.
“When people retire from the military or their time is over, they have to find jobs, and it takes its toll on people.”
“We have first responders who are law enforcement, EMS, Sheriff’s Department, Care flight helicopter pilots, and such. These people are using skills that they most likely were taught during their military training.”
“They found what they were good at, and so I wanted to include first responders as well as our military heroes.”
For a full schedule of events and activities for this multi-day event, visit freedomtribute.org.
