4th of July “Freedom Fest and Concert” To Honor Long Beach Local Heroes
Veterans, Family and Friends Encouraged to Contact Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske Prior to June 20, 2012
(LONG BEACH, CA; June 6, 2012) – Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske and the Long Beach Hometown Heroes Project will honor Long Beach veterans during a special ceremony on the 4th of July in conjunction with the “Freedom Fest and Concert” at Rosie the Riveter Park and Interpretive Center.
If you are a military veteran who has served abroad defending our nation from 2002 to the present – or who has served domestically during the same time frame – Councilwoman Schipske requests the honor of your presence at the inaugural 4th of July “Freedom Fest and Concert”event.
“What better place to celebrate our nation’s birth and to recognize our veterans for their contributions and service to our country then on the grounds of Long Beach’s favorite patriotic park -- Rosie the Riveter Park,” asks Councilwoman Schipske. “The men and women who have served this country – especially in Iraq and Afghanistan – are our ‘hometown heroes.’ This event gives our community the opportunity to say ‘thanks.’”
The Long Beach Hometown Heroes Project recently installed 14 banners in Rosie the Riveter Park and Interpretive Center honoring the 14 Long Beach men who have given their lives in service to this country while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Schipske notes that the Project is extending recognition as a “Long Beach Hometown Hero” to veterans born in Long Beach or elsewhere but who now call Long Beach their home. Active duty personnel and veterans who have been discharged from service are eligible. Veterans or their families are invited to send their name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, branch of service, rank, dates and places of deployment to the Office of Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, City Hall, 333 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802. The information may be submitted electronically to Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske at
, or via telephone at (562) 570-6932. Once the information is received, veterans will receive a personal invitation to attend the 4th of July event.
Families and friends can sponsor a “Long Beach Hometown Hero” and donate a streetlight banner bearing their name and branch of service which will hang on Clark Avenue. For more information, go online to:
or contact the Office of Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske.
The “Freedom Fest and Concert” will begin at 5pm with a flag and military ceremony followed by a free music concert provided by “The Emperors.” The event is open and free to the public. Food trucks will be available on site. Rosie the Riveter Park and Interpretive Center is located at the corner of Clark Avenue and Conant Street adjacent to Fire Station 19 and the Long Beach Community College Foundation.
