Flags 4 Freedom

FLAGS 4 FREEDOM -- 2009

Merriam, Kansas and Shawnee, Kansas

June 27th through July 5th

An All-American Community Celebration ...

Over 3,000 American flags will be on display in Downtown Merriam and along Johnson Dr. and Nieman in Shawnee.

A Brief History of Flags 4 Freedom

The Flags 4 Freedom flag display, celebrated with patriotic programs and ceremonies, is being created by an enthusiastic group of local volunteers.

Lanny Bachtle, Event Chair 2008 & 2009: "This event has been well received in our communities, and we are pleased to host our 4th annual patriotic event in Merriam and Shawnee. Rather than a typical fireworks display, it is our honor and privilege to host an event that pays tribute to those who defend and protect our freedom."

This event is well suited to families, military personnel, veterans, individuals, businesses, and community citizens. Everyone is invited to stop by during the week of July 4th to view an astonishing display of patriotism and community pride.

In 2006, the first-ever HEALING FIELD® in the State of Kansas was hosted in Merriam with 1,200 flag placements and thousands of visitors over the three-day event. A patriotic program and vintage war plane fly-over was also conducted on the 4th of July to conclude the first-ever HEALING FIELD® event in the State of Kansas. In 2007, Shawnee joined Merriam and 2,000 flags were displayed in a neighboring communities co-hosted the full week's events.

All proceeds of Merriam's portion of the event will benefit the Merriam Parks, Recreation, and Community Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization created in 1988. The Foundation supports City of Merriam parks, recreation facilities, and programs. Fund raising proceeds directly fund youth and adult program scholarships, purchase of equipment and a new gym floor for the Irene B. French Community Center, purchase of original works of art for city buildings, sponsorships of the Music at the Marketplace Summer Concert Series, and support of the community center art gallery.

More information about the City of Merriam is available at www.merriam.org

The Shawnee Downtown Business Association has additional information about the Shawnee portion of Flags for Freedom at http://www.cityofshawnee.org/Downtown/sdp.html

To learn more about the history of the HEALING FIELD® FOUNDATION and to find where other flag displays are being created across the country, go to www.healingfield.org

Please contact us for information about being a volunteer or a sponsor ....

913-384-5340 or chris@flags4freedom.org