Freedom Fest 2005

Freedom Fest 2005 was filled with great speakers, wonderful entertainment, educational living
history displays and several vendors.  There were many old friends in attendance this year
and several new friends that we hope will come back next year.  

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by
Duncan from Michigan.  
Col. Teddy Bitner served as our
Master of Ceremonies again this
year.

Emily and Lindsay sang
"Come Home Soon" and
"Live Like You Were
Dying" during opening
Ceremonies.

Medal of Honor Recipients
Don Ballard and Sammy
Davis were present to
welcome everyone.

Freedom Fest 2005 was
honored to have a
group of Cambodians
from all over the United
States join us in
Skidmore.

Sovannarra Lim and
John Musgrave both
spoke to the crowd from
stage and participated in
the round table
discussion.  The topic
this year was the POW
issue.

Medal of Honor Recipients Don Ballard
and Sammy Davis saluting our Active Duty
Soldiers who were present at Freedom
Fest 2005.

Col. Earl Hopper and Lt. Col Mark
Brown

John Steer

Johnie Webb

Col. Teddy Bitner

Pictures taken during the
round table discussion on
the POW Issue

Danny (Greasy) Belcher, Sovannara
Lim, John Musgrave

Tuskegee Airman, Joseph Gomer
talked to school kids on Friday
and then spoke from stage on
Saturday.

The living history displays
included Native Americans, Old
West Cowboys, World War II,
Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm
and  Iraq Veterans.  Moose, the
Bald Eagle and the Missouri  
Department of Conservation
also had displays on hand.

Medal of Honor Recipient
Sammy Davis talked to
school kids on Thursday and
Friday.  He talked to kids that
ranged in age from 3 to 18
years old.

As in the past, the
Nodaway - Holt Elementary
kids did a penny drive to
help raise money to bring
Moose to Freedom Fest.  

Mrs. Lemar and the Fifth grade
class with Sammy Davis, Medal of
Honor Recipient.

The winning class got a pizza party
and a special visit from Sammy
Davis, Medal of Honor Recipient.  
The fifth grade won this year.

As usual, the entertainment was terrific.  Here are some shots of the
different entertainers.

Chandra Roth singing with dad,
Ray Roth.

Michael J. Martin

Lyle Zoerb, Britt Small and
Ray Roth
Britt introducing Lyle and Ray
to the crowd as the writers of
the song "The Wall".

Phil Duncan and Sammy
Davis playing during the
jam band.

John Steer
entertained and did
the Sunday morning
Church Service.

Freedom Fest 2005 had many special guests.  
Included in those guests were many former
members of the Festival Family.  Pictured here
are:  Russ & Carla Wetzel, Stan Funston, Mark
Reinig, Duston Wetzel, Jungle, Martha & Ray
Roth, Jane & Lyle Zoerb, Ivy & Marty Small, Britt
& Jonnie Small, Becky Reinig, Anna Small, Cheryl
& Les Wetzel, Christie, Cameron, Jeff & Andrew
Hofmeister, Curt Pottratz, Kelli Struve, Jessi,
Kristin & Samantha Keith, Brenda & Don Struve

One of the highlights of the
weekend was Sammy Davis
and Dixie Taylor's  wedding.  
The couple was married on
stage and a reception was
held afterwards with
everyone invited to attend.