As the awards were presented, a slide show featured the honored individuals and each was given an opportunity to speak. They were nominated throughout the year by members in the community. Each received a crystal statuette of the American bald eagle, a symbol of freedom.

Vicki Garbutt, event chairwoman, said the gala takes the mission of the Freedom Festival and personalizes it as those who embody the characteristics of family, freedom, God and country tell their stories.

"I just love seeing how touched the individual is at the recognition, and you just hear how it touches their families," Garbutt said.

She has been involved with the event for the past five years and makes sure to introduce her children to the award recipients each year in hopes of having them understand a little more about the cost of freedom.

"It's just inspiring to all of us in our own spheres of influence that we can be heroes," she said. "I hope people take away the feeling that maybe in their own realm of influence there is a difference that they can make."

E-mail: slenz@desnews.com