There are Heroes Amongst Us: The Freedom Festival Honors Cedar Rapids Veterans

The Freedom Festival kicks off June 8th, prepare for fun!  We get a bit more serious and salute those who have kept this country safe.  When you suspend your life to take care of our country it's a big deal.  Some are 4 and the door and for others it becomes their life.  You're taking your life and putting it on hold for the good of us all and we thank YOU for your service.

Each year the Freedom Festival recognizes those who have done just that.  Put their lives on hold for you and me.  These are our friends, neighbors, and family members.  This year The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival, presented by Hy-Vee, is happy to announce our 2024 Heroes: Rodney Courtney, Roger Jensen, Mary Kay McGrath, and our Honorary Hero Ron Slagle. Each year heroes are selected through a nomination process with selection by the Freedom Festival Board of Directors. Below is a short highlight from the community nomination for each of our 2024 heroes. To honor our Heroes, they will be recognized at the Tribute to Heroes Breakfast and will also act as parade marshals in the Freedom Festival Parade that is happening in downtown Cedar Rapids on June 29 th, 2024

Let me introduce you to Rodney Courtney, Rod.

Rod served during the time of Vietnam and has continued to be passionate surrounding Veterans and services. Rod is the Executive Director for the CRUSH Recovery Center in Cedar Rapids and an active member of the HERO board out of Washington County. He is willing to work with various VA agencies to help get Veterans the services they need and deserve. The center sees many Veterans come through its doors as referrals from local Veteran Outreach Posts. Rod is proud of his time representing America while serving and demonstrates this with continued pride in doing what he can to help those around him guide themselves into recovery from whatever substance or addiction they may have. He is in a recovery as his own, celebrating over 30 years of sobriety from alcohol. He is a true hero to a lot of people for his dedication to his country, his family, his community, and his own recovery. He continues to work with the CRUSH (Community Resources United to Spread Hope) group in memory of his son who passed away from a fentanyl overdose in 2016. This is his way of coping and providing hope to those who find themselves in similar situations to himself or his son

I'll introduce you to our 2nd Hero, Roger Jensen

Roger proudly served his country as a Marine during the Vietnam War. Since that time, he has been an avid supporter of Veterans in our community. He is currently the Vice President of the Freedom Foundation in Cedar Rapids and has been an active participant of this organization for over eleven years. He goes to the Foundation five to six days a week to lend support to his fellow Veterans. He’s connected with many Veterans needing support, even if it’s lending an ear or lifting them up in prayer. Besides that, he is just an all-around good guy. He is gentle, kind, considerate and a compassionate man.

Allow me to introduce our third hero, Mary McGrath

Mary is a hero in all she did for our Cedar Rapids community. She is a true “servant leader.” Her commitment to community service is outstanding and exemplary. She volunteered her time for our entire region, providing monetary support for education of students doing community projects such as bench building in Czech Village. She has served on countless local boards and committees including SSMID, Czech Village Association, and the New Bo District. Mary Kay is a tireless community supporter and developer. She has rejuvenated nine businesses in the Czech Village and New Bo areas. She is an inspiration to all who knew and worked with her. She always sees the bright side of everything. Mary Kay was always there with a smile, helping hand, and generous spirit. Her smile of love is contagious. As a Cedar Rapids native, Mary Kay continued to build the community and inspire it for the future.

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Now it's my pleasure to introduce the Honorary Hero: Ron Slagle.

Ron's distinguished career began in the Air Force, where he proudly served from 1988 to 1995. Ron’s journey took him from Ramstein Air Force in Germany, where he was a part of the Security Forces, to the Elite Guard Security Forces at Strategic Air Command and later Strategic Command Headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. After his Military service, he joined the Cedar Rapids Police Department, graduating from the academy in 1995, and later transitioned to the Marion Police Department. Ron’s commitment to service was recognized in 2018 when he received the Marion Police Department’s first and only Medal of Valor. Beyond all his formal roles, Ron dedicated most of his time to coaching youth sports. In 2019, he founded Honor and Respect LLC, a company committed to supporting military and first responder communities, particularly in mental health. Ron retired earlier this year, leaving behind his legacy of bravery, leadership, and community support after nearly three decades of public service.

To attend the celebration honoring these heroes, tickets are on sale now for the Tribute to Heroes Breakfast—held on Friday, June 14 th starting at 7am—located at the Veterans Memorial Building (50 Second Avenue Bridge Cedar Rapids, IA 52401). Tickets are $35 per person or $250 for a table of 8. For more information and to purchase tickets: https://www.freedomfestival.com/calendar/tribute-toheroes. With questions, please reach out to Karol Shepherd at Karol@freedomfestival.com or call our office at 319-365-8313.