Opelika proclaims Peacebuilding Appreciation Day and recognizes Flag for Vets ahead of FreedomFest
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Summary
Mayor Eddie Smith read a proclamation declaring Nov. 4, 2025, Peacebuilding Appreciation Day and presented a proclamation honoring Jamie Pappell and Flag for Vets Inc. ahead of FreedomFest, an event that will include concerts, a new annual Veterans Day parade and appearances by several medal-of-honor recipients and World War II veterans.
Mayor Eddie Smith presented two proclamations at the Nov. 4 meeting: one declaring Nov. 4, 2025, Peacebuilding Appreciation Day and another recognizing Jamie Pappell and Flag for Vets Inc. and announcing FreedomFest weekend and related veterans events.
In reading the peacebuilding proclamation, the mayor described a city effort to promote unity and reconciliation and noted plans for a Flag Day event on June 14 at Courthouse Square. The proclamation states that Opelika seeks to be an “epicenter” for peacebuilding activity and includes references to community-based reconciliation and neighborhood fellowship.
The mayor then presented a separate proclamation for Jamie Pappell, founder of Flag for Vets Inc., which the proclamation says was formed in 2017 to honor veterans by placing flagpoles and flags in their yards and by organizing events and fundraising. The proclamation listed participating groups and sponsors for this year’s FreedomFest, and it named several medal-of-honor recipients and World War II veterans expected to attend.
Jamie Pappell briefly described FreedomFest and asked the community to attend the concert, parade, veterans’ breakfast and other activities. He said the weekend’s events are intended to raise funds to support Flag for Vets’ work and to honor veterans; the proclamation also noted that the city will host an annual Veterans Day parade going forward.
Why it matters: The proclamations endorse community events and partnerships that involve the city, nonprofit groups and national veterans’ organizations; the FreedomFest weekend will include events that require coordination and city permitting.