Remember. Honor.
The Vietnam Wall and Cost of Freedom Tribute is brought to Northwest Nebraska by Crawford Serving Humanities to recognize the service and sacrifice made by all veterans. Help honor them Sept. 9-12, 2026 at the Crawford Ball Fields.
Schedule of Events
Tentative Schedule – Updated August 18, 2026
Sept. 8
ESCORT/ARRIVAL
10:00 a.m. Escort proceeds West toward Crawford at 30 mph.
10:35 a.m. Approximate Arrival in Crawford – Community members and guests are invited to line 2nd Street to greet the truck.
11:30 a.m. – Set up Wall
Sept. 9
REMEMBERING OUR HEROES, SALUE TO VETERANS DAY:
9:00 a.m. – Reveille, brief welcome by CSH, opening prayer & blessing, national anthem, and songs by Crawford Elementary
- 9:15 a.m. – Opening Prayer & Blessing, Pastor Steve Mallory
9:30 a.m. – Welcome by Mayor April Grant
10:00 a.m. – Welcome & honoring of veterans, introduction of Grand Marshals
- 11:00 a.m. – Student History Presentations
12:00 p.m. – Flag folding presentation
3:00 p.m. – Veteran Speaker: Jim Stolldorf, poetry reading by Ashy Blacksheep
4:40 p.m. – Cannon firing demonstration by 1st SW Nebraska Battery, followed by Taps at 5 p.m.
Sept. 10
GUARDIANS OF THE PAST, LEADERS OF THE FUTURE
9:00 a.m. – Presentation of the colors, national anthem and patriotic music
9:15 a.m. – Invocation and words of encouragement, Father Matthew Nash
9:25 a.m. – Welcome by Roger Campbell, Gold Star Family & Mothers recognition
9:35 a.m. – Honoring Gold Star Families: musical & video presentation, presentation of Gold Star banner and wreath, recognition of Gold Star Families in attendance
9:50 a.m. – State Sen. Tanya Storer
10:00 a.m. – Words from Mrs. Pat Marcek – Gold Star Mother
10:10 a.m. – Placement of the wreath
12:00 p.m. – Patriotic event TBD
3:00 p.m. – Women in Military Service program presented by Laurie Miller – PEO
5:00 p.m. – Taps
Sept. 11
PATRIOT’S DAY
- 7:30 a.m. – Gathering & Seating of Guests. Patriotic Music
- 8:00 a.m. – Flag Raising Ceremony, with Presentation of Colors, National Anthem, Invocation & Moment of Reflection
8:30 a.m. – Welcome & Opening Remarks, Spike Jordan
- 8:46 a.m. – Bell Ringing Ceremony for North Tower Impact, followed by moment of silence
- 9:03 a.m. – Bell Ringing Ceremony for South Tower Impact, followed by moment of silence
- 9:15 a.m. – Introduction of Honored Guests
9:37 a.m. – Bell Ringing for Pentagon Impact, followed by moment of silence
- 9:45 a.m. – Guest Speakers: Dan Kramer, Past Department VFW Commander — Patriotism; Jim Costello, Department of Nebraska National Executive
Committeeman; Judith Walters, Past Department of Nebraska Commander 10:03 a.m. – Bell Ringing Ceremony for Flight 93, followed by moment of silence
10:15 a.m. – Chartering Ceremony:
Ronald L. Coker Marine Corps League Detachment
Presented by: David Nieto, Commandant, Marine Corps League
Department of Nebraska
Official Chartering of Detachment
Historical Tribute to PFC Ronald L. Coker
Reading of Service and Sacrifice
Honoree Background:
Marine Private First-Class Ronald L. Coker was killed in action in Quang
Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, on March 24, 1969. He was
posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by President Richard Nixon
on April 20, 1970. His name is inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial, Panel 28W, Line 24.- 10:28 a.m. – Bell Ringing Ceremony for North Tower Collapse, followed by a moment of silence
- 10:25 a.m. – Roll of Honor
- 10:45 a.m. – 21 gun salute, followed by a moment of silence
- 11:00 a.m. – Flag Retirement Ceremony
- 11:30 a.m. – Closing Remarks for 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony
12:00 p.m. – Welcome by Kerri Rempp, Fire & EMT & Law Enforcement Recognition
- 12:30 p.m. – Laying of 9-11 Memorial Wreath
Candlelight Remembrance Ceremony: Reading of names / reflections; Moment of silence; Taps
Sept. 12
FAMILY FUN DAY
8:00 a.m. – Warrior 5K walk/run
9:00 a.m. – Golf Tournament
9:00 a.m. Reveille, presentation of the colors by Native American service men and women, opening prayer, National Anthem, patriotic songs, opening prayer with Pastor Martin Leeper
9:30 a.m. – Welcome, poetry reading by Ashy Blacksheep, POW Day Table setting
10:00 a.m. – POW/MIA Honor presentation
12:00 p.m. – Quilt of Valor presentation
1:00 p.m. – games and family events
5:00 p.m. – Lowering of the Flag, event closing ceremony, benediction, flag folding ceremony, taps
7:00 p.m. – Gone with the West concert in the Crawford High School Auditorium, doors open at 6:00 p.m. Purchase Tickets
Sept. 13
FAREWELL
8:45 a.m. – Coffee & danishes at concession stand
9:15 a.m. – Raising of the Flag, music
9:30 a.m. – Community church service at the Wall, guests may bring lawn chairs
10:15 a.m. – Dismantling and loading of the tributes
TBD – CSH members to lower the Flag, fold, and present to the City of Crawford
