Freedom Festival

Cedar Memorial is proud to support the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival by participating in the Freedom Festival parade and sponsoring the Tribute to Heroes Luncheon. 

2007 Tribute to Heroes Honorees

Sheila Harmon is a director of Gems of Hope, which offers support and encouragement to cancer patients and their families. 

Charles W. Larson is the recently retired U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa, and has a long history of local and worldwide service to his community, state and nation. 

Alvin Oujiri, a senior military veteran who saw active duty at the Battle of the Bulge and elsewhere during World War II, continues to serve in uniform and with distinction as he presents the U.S. flag to next-of-kin during military honors for departed veterans. 

Krista  Rettkowski is a wife, mom, community servant and customer servant with a passion for inspired and pro-active community service.

Art Roderick, a Rockwell Collins Retiree Volunteers member, works extensively with youth-oriented projects that challenge young minds to explore their engineering potential, and also provides active mentoring to youth experiencing challenges in their lives. 

Each hero will be recognized at the annual Cedar Memorial Tribute to Heroes Luncheon, June 19, 11:30 AM at the Cedar Rapids Marriott Hotel, sponsored by Cedar Memorial Funeral Homes and Cemetery. 

To make reservations contact the Freedom Festival office at 319.365.8313. In addition, all five heroes will act as grand marshals for the annual Freedom Festival Parade on June 23. 

While the five local heroes that we honor every year go above and beyond to serve and improve our community, it is important to remind ourselves that we can all be everyday heroes. The staff members at Cedar Memorial challenge everyone in the community to get involved and do their small part in making this one of the best places to live in Iowa. 

To see the Everyday Heroes at Cedar Memorial and the organizations they support, download this PDF file.