116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Heroes among us
Freedom Festival 2024 Heroes will be honored at Tribute to Heroes Breakfast June 14
Cedar Rapids — The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival has announced its 2024 Heroes: Rodney Courtney, Roger Jensen, Mary Kay McGrath, and Honorary Hero Ron Slagle.
Each year heroes are selected through a nomination process with selection by the Freedom Festival board of directors. The heroes will be recognized at the Tribute to Heroes Breakfast and also will act as parade marshals in the Freedom Festival Parade on June 29 in downtown Cedar Rapids.
Rod Courtney
Rod Courtney, served during the time of Vietnam and has continued to be passionate surrounding veterans and services. Courtney is the executive director for the CRUSH Recovery Center in Cedar Rapids and an active member of the HERO board out of Washington County. He is willing to work with various Veterans Affairs agencies to help get veterans the services they need and deserve. The center sees many veterans come through its doors as referrals from local Veteran Outreach Posts.
Courtney is proud of his time representing America while serving and demonstrates this with continued pride in doing what he can to help those around him guide themselves into recovery from whatever substance or addiction they may have. He is in a recovery as his own, celebrating more than 30 years of sobriety from alcohol. He is a true hero to a lot of people for his dedication to his country, his family, his community, and his own recovery. He continues to work with the CRUSH (Community Resources United to Spread Hope) group in memory of his son who died from a fentanyl overdose in 2016. This is his way of coping and providing hope to those who find themselves in similar situations to himself or his son.
Roger Jensen
Roger Jensen proudly served his country as a Marine during the Vietnam War. Since that time, he has been an avid supporter of veterans in our community. He is currently the vice president of the Freedom Foundation in Cedar Rapids and has been an active participant of this organization for 11 years. He goes to the foundation five to six days a week to lend support to his fellow veterans. He’s connected with many veterans needing support, even if it’s lending an ear or lifting them up in prayer. Besides that, he is just an all-around good guy. He is gentle, kind, considerate and a compassionate man.
Mary Kay McGrath
Mary Kay McGrath, who died Feb. 23, is being honored posthumous. McGrath was a hero in all she did for the Cedar Rapids community. She was a true “servant leader.” Her commitment to community service was outstanding and exemplary. She volunteered her time for the entire region, providing monetary support for the education of students doing community projects such as bench building in Czech Village. She has served on countless local boards and committees including Self-Supported Municipal Improvement Districts, Czech Village Association, and the NewBo District.
McGrath was a tireless community supporter and developer. She had rejuvenated nine businesses in the Czech Village and NewBo areas. She is an inspiration to all who knew and worked with her. She would always sees the bright side of everything. She was always there with a smile, helping hand, and generous spirit. Her smile of love is contagious. As a Cedar Rapids native, McGrath continued to build the community and inspire it for the future.
If you go
What: Freedom Festival’s Tribute to Heroes Breakfast
Where: Veterans Memorial Building, 50 Second Ave. Bridge, Cedar Rapids
When: 7 a.m. Friday, June 14
Cost: $35 per person or $250 for table of eight
Tickets: www.freedomfestival.com/calendar/tribute-to-heroes
Ron Slagle
Honorary Hero: Ron Slagle’s distinguished career began in the Air Force, where he proudly served from 1988 to 1995. Slagle’s journey took him from Ramstein Air Force in Germany, where he was a part of the Security Forces, to the Elite Guard Security Forces at Strategic Air Command and later Strategic Command Headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. After his military service, he joined the Cedar Rapids Police Department, graduating from the academy in 1995, and later transitioned to the Marion Police Department. Slagle’s commitment to service was recognized in 2018 when he received the Marion Police Department’s first and only Medal of Valor.
Beyond all his formal roles, Slagle dedicated most of his time to coaching youth sports. In 2019, he founded Honor and Respect LLC, a company committed to supporting military and first responder communities, particularly in mental health. Slagle retired earlier this year, leaving behind his legacy of bravery, leadership, and community support after nearly three decades of public service.
To attend the celebration honoring these heroes, tickets are on sale now for the Tribute to Heroes Breakfast held at 7 a.m. on Friday, June 14 at the Veterans Memorial Building, 50 Second Ave. Bridge, Cedar Rapids. Tickets are $35 per person or $250 for a table of eight. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.freedomfestival.com/calendar/tribute-to-heroes.
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