Festival of Flags Radio Broadcast...
You can listen to the KGMI Podcast of the live coverage of the 2011 Festival of Flags, including Jerry Stewart's message, "No Greater Love," with broadcast co-host, Whatcom County Executive Pete Kremen by going to (click below, or copy and place in your Browser window):
2011 Festival News Release
Contact: Steve Hortegas, 360-927-9317
Media Liaison, Moles Family Funeral Homes/Greenacres Memorial Park
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 16, 2011
46th Annual Memorial Day Festival of Flags Honors Heroes Past and Present
Including Jerry Stewart, Navy Band Northwest, Blackhawk landing, Pearl Harbor survivors
Photos and further information: For photos, please refer to Photo Gallery. To arrange for guest interviews, please contact media liaison.
This year’s Festival of Flags salutes “Our Heroes, Past and Present” and features Navy Band Northwest, national radio host Jerry Stewart, and a Blackhawk helicopter landing. The 46th Annual event is on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, 1:00-4:00 PM, at Greenacres Memorial Park at Axton and Northwest Roads in Ferndale.
According to One Moment in America Radio Host Jerry Stewart, "Of all the Military Tribute events I have ever attended, there is no doubt - the 'Festival of Flags' is the most stirring I have experienced. Come with your whole family for an experience that truly none will ever forget."
The festival is the region’s largest family-oriented Memorial Day tradition and features:
1:00-2:00PM Festival Concert: Navy Band Northwest and Christian recording Artist Malcom H. Oliver, highlighted by a stirring 4H/Thunderbirds dove release;
2:00-3:00PM Remembrance Ceremony: Jerry Stewart’s message, “No Greater Love,” Blackhawk Helicopter Flag Arrival, flag-raising by Iwo Jima survivor/American Legion Chaplain Carl Hamm in honor of Staff Sgt. Mark Wells who was killed in Afghanistan (the flag will be flown in a Mustang aircraft called Valhalla prior to the event by Greg Anders, son of Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders whose family founded The Heritage Flight Museum at the Bellingham International Airport), bagpipe processional, veteran family presentations, special veteran and active troop guests including the US Marines, honors presentations by the Washington Army National Guard Honor Guard and American Legion Post 7, and wreath ceremony by the Legion Auxiliary – all presided over by Debbie Chavez, retreat leader and host of the Debbie Chavez internet show;
3:00-4:00PM Festival Reception: Pearl Harbor Survivors autograph session, 40’s-style Pakawalups Trio music, Thank-A-Soldier kids activity, and free refreshments from Hemplers, Franz, Woods Coffee, and Hilltop;
Throughout the weekend: 1,500 flags lining the pathways of the Park, donated by veterans families in honor of their loved ones.
“We are proud to host the Festival,” says John Moles, fourth generation owner of Moles Family Funeral Homes and Greenacres Memorial Park. “We are humbled by such feedback as from those of the North Cascade Chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association who attended last year and told us ‘Over the years we have attended many memorials, parades and military ceremonies with great pride and honor. We have never attended a finer Memorial Day tribute to all our veterans than the Festival of Flags. We all felt great pride and honor as your guests. It is from the bottom of our hearts that we thank you for your great patriotism and your love of country.’”
All activities are at Greenacres Memorial Park, 5700 Northwest Dr, Ferndale. The parking entrance is on Northwest Dr., on the north side of the Park. Designated handicap parking for permit holders is available as space allows. It is suggested to bring chairs due to limited seating. Details are at www.FestivalofFlags or 360-384-3401.
Festival Host
Please enjoy listening to KGMI's Podcast of the...
Our website currently features the 46th Annual Festival of Flags. We are now preparing the 47th Annual Festival - hope to see you Memorial day 2012!
“For many in Whatcom County, the Festival of Flags is the place to go to celebrate Memorial Day the right way…
because Moles takes it upon itself every year to transform its Greenacres Memorial Park into a flag-draped sanctuary for remembering those in the US military who have fallen in the line of duty.”
- Ferndale
Record Journal
