Wildwoods ‘Flags of Liberty’

Over 100 families and hundreds of supporters will gather at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and Wildwoods Convention Center to honor their deceased veteran heroes by unfurling their deceased loved one’s casket flags at the annual Flags of Liberty event.

The Flags of Liberty ceremony will begin at the Wildwoods Convention Center, turn around the entrance, in front of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, before moving to the nearby Wildwoods Boardwalk, where participants will honor their heroes by holding up a chain of unfurled American flags in remembrance.

The event will feature the unfurling of over 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 Memorial Day Weekend.

This moving tribute, hosted by the Greater Wildwood Elks #1896 Veterans Committee and The Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement & Development Authority, will focus on honoring fallen veterans and usher in the summer season.

To conclude the event, veterans will GWTIDA to kick off the 2025 summer season with the traditional Unlocking of the Ocean Ceremony, with a giant, ornate key.

The event was previously held in North Wildwood and featured speeches and memoranda from veterans and local leaders. This year, NJ State Senator 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.

The Posting of the Colors will be led by the Emerald Society Honor Guard, accompanied by bagpipes playing Amazing Grace, creating a stirring and emotional moment. As the flags wave along the Wildwoods Boardwalk, the crowd will join in singing the National Anthem and God Bless America, uniting in shared patriotism and respect. 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 am at the Wildwoods Convention Center and the ceremony begins at 10 am.