Approximately 800 community leaders, dignitaries and Utah Valley patriots will gather to honor individuals who have espoused the cause of freedom throughout the world. Participants will enjoy not only the inspiring stories of these individuals, but also great food and outstanding entertainment.

The Awards Gala will be held Thursday, July 2, 2009, at 6:30pm in the BYU Wilkinson Center Ballroom. Tickets for the event are $40 per person and will be available June 1 at the BYU Marriott Center Ticket Office.  Call (801) 422-BYU1 (2981).  Tickets go quickly.

The Freedom Award is presented annually to individuals who have demonstrated a unique contribution to the cause of the freedoms guaranteed in the United States Constitution and the traditional American values of Family, Freedom, God and Country.  Recipients may be from any nation, and are recognized for espousing, establishing, defending, and promoting among God's children everywhere those rights and responsibilities that America's Founding Fathers believed would provide "the Blessing of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity." 

This year's Freedom Award Recipients are:

President Boyd K. Packer, World War II Pilot

Marine Sgt. Merlin German, Iraq War burn victim (posthumous award)

Mona Kashani Heern, Baha'i refugee from Iran

Neil K. Holbrook, World War II Frogman

Specifically, the Freedom Award recognizes individuals who may have:

• Demonstrated unusual or extraordinary devotion to the cause of freedom and America's traditional values
• Risked personal safety or well-being to help assure freedom for others
• Advanced significantly the cause of Family, Freedom, God, and Country in their areas of influence
• Fulfilled in an exemplary way those responsibilities which allow the values of Family, Freedom, God, and Country to thrive and grow.

America's Freedom Festival is honored to recognize such individuals and to share their stories of inspiration and hope.  To nominate someone you know for a Freedom Award, please mail a one page summary highlighting the accomplishments of the individual to America's Freedom Festival c/o Vicki Garbutt at 4626 N. 300 W. Ste. 300, Provo, UT 84604.