More than 100 American flags will be unfurled in an emotional tribute. (Courtesy of Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority)
More than 100 families and hundreds of supporters will gather at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and Wildwoods Convention Center to honor fallen veterans by unfurling their deceased loved one’s casket flags at the annual Flags of Liberty event.
The event will be held on Friday, May 23, at 10 a.m.
The Flags of Liberty ceremony will begin at the Wildwoods Convention Center turn-around entrance, in front of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, before moving to the nearby Wildwoods Boardwalk.
Participants will honor their heroes by holding up a chain of unfurled American flags in remembrance. The event will feature the unfurling of more than 100 American flags in honor of fallen veterans, serving as a powerful tribute ahead of the Wildwoods’ Unlocking of the Ocean ceremony and the official opening of the 2025 summer season, kicking off the Memorial Day weekend.
“There is nothing like the feeling you get when over 100 veteran flags are unfurled, transforming the display into a living memorial,” says Lory Kondor, member of the Elks Veteran Committee and event organizer. “The Friday of Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to reflect on our shared love of our country and to honor those who defended our freedoms.”
The moving tribute, hosted by the Greater Wildwood Elks #1896 Veterans Committee and The Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement & Development Authority (GWTIDA), will focus on honoring fallen veterans.
To conclude the event, veterans will assist the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement & Development Authority (GWTIDA) in kicking off the 2025 summer season with the traditional Unlocking of the Ocean Ceremony, with a giant, ornate key.
“We honor our Veterans with heartfelt gratitude for their remarkable service to our country. As Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of the summer season, this powerful display calls us to pause, reflect, and unite in shared patriotism. As we unlock the ocean for the summer ahead, our primary focus remains on the sacrifices of those who served – ensuring their legacy is remembered at the very heart of this cherished tradition,” explained Louis Belasco, GWTIDA executive director.
The event was previously held in North Wildwood and featured speeches and memoranda from veterans and local leaders. This year, state Sen. Michael Testa will join leaders from the Greater Wildwoods Elks and GWTIDA, numerous volunteers, and participants to honor deceased veterans. The Wildwood Police and Fire Departments will also be in attendance and will unfurl a veterans’ flag as a tribute.
State and local dignitaries as well as guest speakers will share remarks about the meaning of Memorial Day and the veterans being honored in the ceremony. Afterward, participants will proceed to the Boardwalk and prepare to unfurl their veteran’s casket flag in a chain of patriotic display.
The Posting of the Colors will be led by the Emerald Society Honor Guard, accompanied by bagpipes playing “Amazing Grace.” As the flags wave along the Wildwoods Boardwalk, the crowd will join in singing the national anthem and “God Bless America.”
Each family that registers will receive a commemorative Flags of Liberty T-shirt featuring their loved one’s name and logo of branch served, and a Flags of Liberty pin as a keepsake of the event. The registration fee is $30 and covers the cost of the T-shirt and pin.
Participant check-in begins at 9 a.m. at the Wildwoods Convention Center. For those who want to honor a veteran by unfurling a casket flag in their memory, click here. For more information visit WildwoodsNJ.com/FOL or email [email protected]
