Freedom Fest Schedule is as follows:

CEREMONY

5:00 pm - Welcome - Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske

5:05 pm - Presentation of Colors - Millikan Jr. ROTC Color Guard

5:10 pm - National Anthem - Erma Vernado

5:12 pm - Invocation - Bruce MacRae, Public Affairs Manager, UPS

5:15 pm - Pipe Major Scott MacDonald, LBPD - performing Amazing Grace

5:20 pm - Bruce MacRae - Introduction of Speakers and special guests

5:25 pm - Captain Roger LaFerriere, U.S. Coast Guard

Speaker Topic: Pioneering service of African American and minority service members who serve in the Armed Forces

5:40 pm - Introduction to Congressional Gold Medal honorees: Montford Point Marines, First Sergeant William McDowell, and First Sergeant Mitchell Key, and Navy Corpsmen, Robert S. Hammond

5:45 pm - Reading of names of 14 Long Beach Hometown Heroes who died in Iraq or Afghanistan

- Lt. Col. Angel Ortiz, U.S. Army National Guard

5:55 pm - Taps performed by Lee Seltzer, Rock for Vets

6:00 pm - Speaker: U.S. Naval Commander Stephen M. Ruggiero

Speaker Topic:

6:15 pm - Concluding Remarks - Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske

6:25 pm - God Bless America - Erma Vernado

6:30 pm Live Concert by The Emperors (Popular group of Long Beach)

8:30 pm Event ends