General Tommy Franks Celebration of Freedom is returning to Hobart, OK on May 16, 2026. We are proud to host the Louis B. Sims Veteran Tribute featuring the VAU Veterans and Athletes United Memorial Wall.
The General Tommy Franks Celebration of Freedom is a proud partnership between the City of Hobart, OK , Hobart Chamber of Commerce, Elk Creek Kiowa Casino, and the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute & Museum.
At the heart of the Celebration of Freedom is a special Veteran Tribute. This deeply moving event will center on the presentation of the Veterans and Athletes United (VAU) Fallen Heroes Memorial, a traveling tribute that honors the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedoms. The 28 foot wide by 6 foot tall American flag symbolizes the shape of the flag when draped on a fallen service members casket. It is formed of over 7,000 dog tags of all those who have fallen in the War on Terror. There are 50 gold stars honoring all gold star families nationwide. Displayed in front of the flag is a battlefield cross sculpted from mahogany wood by veteran artist Alicia Dietz. Since 2018 these two memorials have traveled to over 200 locations nationwide.
