Honor the Heroes -- 11th Annual Patriots Day -- is Sept. 20 at Panther Stadium

For the eleventh straight year, the north suburban community will honor and pay tribute to those who have served the nation in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, our nation's POW-MIAs, as well police officers, firefighters, and Emergency Medical Services personnel.

"Honor the Heroes" will be held on Thursday, September 20, 2012 at 7:30 pm at Spring Lake Park High School's Panther Stadium located at the corner of 79th Avenue and Able Street in Spring Lake Park. If inclement weather forces the event indoors, it will be held in the high school's Fine Arts Center, with entrance on the east side of the complex.

There is no admission charge and families and children are encouraged to attend.

Highlights will include the annual Parade of Colors featuring veteran and active military personnel, the Minnesota Patriot Guard, and representatives from local service organizations; music by the American Heritage Pipe and Drum Corp and the high school's Parkaires; patriotic speakers; a moving POW/MIA remembrance ceremony by the Angels Brigade; a closing ceremony and memorial to "Honor the Heroes" who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country or their communities; and a fireworks display.

This annual event originated as a way of remembering and honoring those who perished and those who were heroes on 9/ll. Following the 2007 bridge collapse in Minneapolis, the "Honor the Heroes" program expanded further.

Originator and long-time organizer of Honor the Heroes is Fridley resident Stan Kowalski who each year urges community members to bring their families to a special patriotic event to honor the heroes who have and continue to keep us free and safe.

A leader in many local service groups, Kowalski is also past VFW state commander, former long-time member of the School District 16 Board of Education, and Minnesota School Board Member of the Year. His service work was preceded by a distinguished professional wrestling career that many Minnesotans remember fondly.