Tribute to Heroes & Flag Raising
Tribute to Heroes & Flag Raising Ceremony
Celebrating community heroes
Tuesday, June 30th 8am - 9:30am
Veterans Memorial Building (Coliseum)
The Tribute to Heroes event is designed to celebrate the remarkable contributions of local heroes who have made a positive impact on the lives of others. From courageous first responders to compassionate volunteers, these individuals embody the spirit of unity and resilience that defines the community. Come join us to enjoy a delicious breakfast and help us honor our 2026 heroes!
During the ceremony, we recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond in service to others. Their inspiring stories remind us of the strength, dedication, and kindness that help shape our community.
The event also features a ceremonial flag raising, a powerful symbol of unity, gratitude, and patriotism. As the flag is raised, we take a moment together to reflect on the freedoms we celebrate and the people who help protect and support them.
The Tribute to Heroes Ceremony and Flag Raising is a heartfelt way to begin the day, bringing our community together to honor those who lead with bravery, generosity, and service. Join us as we recognize and celebrate our local heroes.
ENTRY: TICKET
2026 Heroes!
Gerald Wegmann
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Gerry was a decorated veteran of the Vietnam war. He dedicated most of his time in the support of others. He loved supporting programs for children. He was first to volunteer, last to accept credit and always gave public praise to others. He was one in a million.
He served his country in war. He returned and had a wonderful family. He joined the American Legion to continue supporting veterans, He volunteered at his church assisting grounds maintenance and as a Lector in services. He umpired children and high school baseball and softball for over 10 years. He was a deliveryman for Meals on Wheels. He constantly treated others with compassion and courtesy.
The kids he worked with; umpiring baseball, 5th Grade Flag Essay competition, High School Constitutional Oratorical Contest, Boys State and presentation of flag etiquette and personal stories of his service on Veterans Day - all saw an adult that was kind, firm and helpful. Meals on wheels and at his church saw a faithful servant. He impacted others by his example.
Gerry is now deceased. Please refer to the attached document for more information:
In Memoriam – Gerry Wegmann was a hero in all aspects of his life. He spent a large amount of his talents and love in support of others in the community. He was from a large family and was a decorated combat-veteran of the Vietnam war, volunteering in 1968. On Memorial Day of 1966, he joined a small, Infantry Reconnaissance Unit. His service was such that he earned a Combat Infantry Badge and a Bronze Star with Valor Device and was promoted to Sergeant in 13 months, a rare achievement.
Gerry is noteworthy in many categories; but all reflect his love of others and desire to help. He was active at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church not only as a constant volunteer for grounds maintenance in summer and winter, but also as a lector for both daily and weekend masses. Gerry took great pride in the church’s flowers but also spent countless hours on his home garden and flower beds.
Gerry had a love of his family and people in general, especially being a grandpa. He had a passion for sports, frequently attending high school games. This extended to his umpiring youth and high school baseball and softball for more than 10 years. He was also a member of the Board of Directors and constant volunteer for the Honor Flights from the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight organization.
Gerry was very influential to the community in his work in The American Legion. First, he greeted everyone as if they had been friends forever. New members or old timers, Gerry always had a kind word and never shared unkind words about another member. Gerry would be the first to publicly express his thanks to others in the Post. He was a humble man who never sought credit for his successes. He was a member of the Honor Guard and participated in the presentation of Military Burial Rites to hundreds of deceased veterans in the metro community. He was Chairman of the Children and Youth programs and was instrumental in the Legion Post Scholarship Awards, Constitutional Oratorical Contest, Boys State, Legion Baseball, 5th Grade Flag Essay Contest, and demonstrations and speaking at the schools.
Gerry was delivering meals with the “Meals on Wheels” program when he had a medical event and passed on the 23rd of December. He gave it to the community until the end.
Crystal Ellis
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Crystal Ellis is a quiet but powerful force for good in the Cedar Rapids community. For years, she has dedicated countless volunteer hours to causes that protect, comfort, and uplift both people and animals — all without seeking recognition.
Through her work with Dogs Forever, Crystal does far more than volunteer during open hours. She warmly introduces potential adopters to shelter dogs, helps manage incoming donations, runs the organization’s Facebook presence, and serves as the Fundraising Committee Lead, managing and directing the entire fundraising committee. She oversees planning, strategy, and execution of fundraising efforts that directly sustain the rescue’s lifesaving work. Every role she fills is entirely volunteer-based, yet her leadership and commitment operate at a professional level. Her efforts directly impact the lives of dogs waiting for second chances and the families who welcome them home.
Crystal also serves her community through our local chapter of Project Linus, supporting children in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Waterloo, and surrounding areas. For 14 years, she has hosted an annual blanket-making party and potluck, rallying friends and community members to create fleece tie blankets that provide comfort to children facing illness, trauma, or crisis. She also helps her local chapter reach its annual $500 fundraising goal when possible, ensuring blankets continue reaching hospitals, clinics, and facilities serving children in need.
In addition, Crystal is involved with the Iowa Donor Network and Team Iowa. Alongside her first cornea donor’s mother, she speaks at events to share her story and promote organ, eye, and tissue donation awareness, including occasionally through the Iowa Lions Eye Bank. As a member of Team Iowa — a group of transplant recipients, living donors, and donor families — she helps spread hope at the Transplant Games of America, showing others what donation makes possible as a two time cornea transplant recipient.Crystal embodies what it means to serve: she builds community, comforts children, gives animals a voice, and shares hope through personal experience. Her leadership is humble, her impact is lasting, and her heart for service makes Cedar Rapids stronger.
Crystal’s impact is long-term and community-wide. Her leadership helps sustain animal rescue operations, supports children facing illness and trauma, and increases awareness about organ, eye, and tissue donation.
Beyond measurable outcomes, she creates connection — bringing people together to give back, educating others through personal storytelling, and building a culture of compassion. Her consistent service has strengthened organizations, inspired volunteers, and positively touched countless lives throughout Eastern Iowa.
Kim Heeren
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Kim Heeren should be recognized as a hero for her extraordinary, selfless dedication to supporting our nation's veterans, embodying the very essence of compassion, service, and community spirit that the Tribute to Heroes program celebrates. For years, she has tirelessly led drives to collect letters and care packages for service members stationed overseas, devoting countless hours not only to gathering these heartfelt contributions but also to spending her weekends meticulously packaging and shipping them—ensuring that deployed veterans feel remembered, valued, and connected to home during their most challenging times. As a dedicated member of veterans organizations including True Impact Outdoors (TIO)—a nonprofit with the motto "Together strong, together unbroken"—she actively contributes to their mission of offering accessible outdoor activities and experiences to military veterans, first responders, and disabled individuals, as well as youth, helping them find respite from daily challenges, rebuild community, and regain a sense of purpose through nature-based healing. Kim has organized and personally supported local veterans through enriching recreational outings, including fishing, golfing, and hunting trips that provide much-needed respite, camaraderie, and healing in nature. She has become a true friend to these heroes, offering unwavering emotional support by being there with prayers in moments of need and consoling grieving families when veterans pass away. In a world where many give fleeting thanks, Kim's consistent, hands-on commitment demonstrates profound courage in advocacy, deep compassion for those who have served, and quiet dedication that uplifts entire veteran communities—making her an inspiring example of an everyday citizen who goes above and beyond to strengthen the bonds of gratitude and support that our heroes deserve.
Kim Heeren exemplifies the core values celebrated by the Tribute to Heroes award—courage, compassion, dedication, service, kindness, and selfless commitment to community—through her unwavering, hands-on support for veterans. Her courage shines in consistently stepping forward to advocate for those who have served, tackling the emotional and logistical challenges of supporting deployed service members and local veterans alike, even when it requires personal sacrifice of time and energy. With profound compassion and kindness, she has become a steadfast friend, offering prayers in times of struggle and providing heartfelt consolation to grieving families when veterans pass, demonstrating deep empathy that uplifts and heals.
Kim Heeren's work has had a significant and lasting impact on the community by fostering deeper gratitude, support, and emotional healing for veterans and their families while encouraging widespread civic engagement. Her leadership in collecting and shipping thousands of letters and care packages to deployed troops has kept service members connected to home, boosted morale, and reinforced a shared sense of national appreciation that strengthens local pride. By personally organizing and joining veterans on fishing, golfing, and hunting trips, she provides therapeutic recreation, builds meaningful friendships, and helps address challenges like isolation, PTSD, and readjustment, creating a stronger sense of belonging. Her compassionate support—offering prayers in hard times and consoling families after a veteran's passing—establishes an essential emotional network that eases grief and builds community resilience. Ultimately, Kim's consistent, selfless efforts directly benefit dozens to hundreds of veterans and families annually, while her example inspires neighbors and organizations to contribute more, weaving a tighter, more compassionate community fabric centered on service, unity, and enduring gratitude.
Harold Hopp
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My brother Harold has been a true patriot all his life. Enlisting in the Air Force right after highschool in 1965, he served Honorably during the Vietnam War. While raising his family in Cedar Rapids, he worked at Collins. All four of his children served in the military at one time (photo), with d-i-l also active Air Force. After retirement he has found time to dedicate his life towards serving the community in patriotic events. Being a "Harley" guy, he joined the Patriot Guard. As a Patriot Guard member, he has accompanied many military remains as they return home for the last time. (Photo at Marshalltown School Ceremony) Harold has organized the receiving line at the Cedar Rapids Airport for several years, as the Hero Flights return home. Having participate myself, it is a very emotional homecoming for our veterans after their wonderful day in Washington DC. (Photo of Receiving line, Harold and wife Kathy in foreground) Harold continued his military service, now retired from Army National Guard. An active member of Solon American Legion, Harold serves on the Color Guard. They present the flag at every home football game (photo) and he participates in each military honors burial in the Solon area. Harold is the true example of a Hero.
Besides all stated previously, he guides his children in the importance of being good citizens and patriots. His oldest son just retired from US Air Force with 25 years service. Harold's oldest grandson has been through law enforcement academy and serving his community. Harold helps his neighbors and friends by using his numerous skills in fixing their equipment. Harold and Kathy have held annual fireworks gatherings for numerous years hosting 450-500 friends and neighbors. Having served our Country and being blessed with family, he understands and appreciates the meaning of FREEDOM. The community has been impacted by Harold's efforts evidenced by 1) his service during Vietnam War, 2) his work at Collins, 3) Patriot Guard involvement honoring those lost in battle and welcoming Veterans from their Honor Flight 4) American Legion Color Guard involvement. You'll also see Harold's visible display of patriotism on his front yard.(Photo) Anyone driving by can see the Patriot living there. Harold is a true Hero to many, including me, his sister.
Thank You Tribute to Heroes Sponsors!
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Thank You Tribute to Heroes Sponsors! 🎖️
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