Clear, 68° F
A patriotic Freedom Celebration — complete with a flyover by two military aircraft — is set for Saturday in Cody. The free event begins at 1 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park.
For …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
The Powell Tribune has expanded its online content. To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, or purchase a subscription.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free web account by clicking here.
If you already have a web account, but need to reset it, you can do so by clicking here.
If you would like to purchase a subscription click here.
Please log in to continue |
|
A patriotic Freedom Celebration — complete with a flyover by two military aircraft — is set for Saturday in Cody. The free event begins at 1 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park.
For organizer Carol Armstrong, the celebration is also personal, as one of her ancestors was at the first battle of the American Revolution in 1775.
“I am so proud of the bravery of that small citizen army standing against the king’s army. America’s independence was born out of their desire for freedom and liberty,” Armstrong said. “I will always be grateful.”
Pastor Pat Alphin of Cody Cowboy Church will offer an invocation to start the program, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the national anthem. Park County Republican Party Chairman Martin Kimmet will serve as the emcee.
Brian Schroeder, the director of Veritas Academy in Cody, has been tabbed as the featured speaker. Schroeder has spent 15 years in Christian education, more than 14 years in family and youth counseling and seven years in pastoral ministry. He grew up in Wisconsin and joined Veritas — a private school that offers a classical Christian education — in June 2020.
During the event, a pair of T-34 military aircraft will fly over the crowd as part of a salute to America’s military veterans who have died in service to the country.
“These planes are spectacular and worth seeing and our giant American flag flying from the fire [department] ladder truck is the icing on the cake,” Armstrong said.
Pilot Wally Zook of Red Lodge, Montana, participated in the event for years before his death in early 2020. Two of his friends, Bo Ewald and Drew Daniel, will conduct this year’s flyover tribute in Zook’s memory.
The 15th annual Freedom Celebration is sponsored by the Park County Republican Party, but it is a nonpartisan event. Dignitaries expected to be in attendance include U.S. Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis, Gov. Mark Gordon, Secretary of State Ed Buchanan, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow and State Auditor Kristi Racines, along with local officials.
