Freedom Awards Gala

Join us for the Freedom Awards Gala – a distinguished evening where the America’s Freedom Festival at Provo honors inspiring individuals whose courage and faith have strengthened the values of God, family, freedom and country.

Details

Event Details

In celebrating Freedom’s 250^th anniversary, it is important to note that this precious gift was not gained or provided by one single group of individuals. It takes the enlisted soldier willing to put their life on the line to fight for the freedom of others. It takes those who stand beside them in battle to help support their spiritual and emotional well-being. It takes the everyday man—or woman—on the street who chooses to step up in moments of crisis to head into danger when others are running out. And it takes those who meticulously record and preserve our history that we might all be reminded of the price paid for freedom. The 2026 Freedom Award recipients will join an impressive list of previous honorees who have made unique contributions to the cause of defending, fighting to achieve or provide, and promoting the traditional American values of God, family, freedom, and country. The Gala is held at the Utah Valley Convention Center in downtown Provo. Guests will hear the stories behind each award and be able to meet our recipients. Attend and enjoy a formal evening of dining and entertainment.

CHAIRPERSON – Vicki Garbutt – vicki.garbutt@freedomfestival.org

Ticket Information

Tickets will be $60/person and may be ordered starting Monday, May 18. For those interested, a full table (for ten guests) can be purchased for $600.
Program participants, Festival sponsors, and those purchasing a full table will have assigned, reserved seating. Other guests may select a location in open seating that evening. Ballroom doors will open at 5:50 p.m. Guests are to be seated by 6:20 p.m. with the program beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Dress is semi-formal, black tie optional.
Reservations are required. Tickets will not be available at the door.
Orders may be placed by phone (801-818-1776) or by going to the Festival office (4626 N. 300 W., Suite 300, Provo). No online ordering is available. Tickets will be available starting June 18
There will be a $5.00 fee per order for tickets that are mailed out.
Deadline for ordering tickets is Tuesday, June 23 @ 5:00 p.m.
Payment by cash or check preferred. Credit cards also accepted.
Requests to meet special dietary needs must be made at the time of ticket purchase.

Menu Information

Salad

Chopped salad with cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, cucumbers, and topped with the Chef’s own marinated red onions. Served with a choice of the house vinaigrette or Ranch dressing, and rolls with butter.

Entrée

Pan Seared Airline Chicken Breast with Mushroom Marsala sauce, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Braised Honey Ginger Carrots

Dessert

Choice of Carrot Cake with caramel drizzle, or Cheesecake with blueberry and strawberry compote glaze

Gluten-Free Meal Option

Salad: As shown above with the house dressing and without roll

Entrée: As shown above

Dessert: Flourless Chocolate Torte

Vegetarian Meal Option

Salad: As shown above

Entrée: Eggplant Roulade stuffed with Ricotta Cheese and baked

Dessert: As shown above

*Note: Dietary requests must be made at the time of ticket purchase. Requests placed the night of the dinner may not be able to be fulfilled.

2026 Freedom Award Honorees

BRENT F. ASHWORTH

Influenced by his service in the U.S. Army Reserves, Brent gained a lasting respect for the cost of freedom and the responsibility each generation bears to protect it. His respect turned into a passion for searching out, authenticating, and preserving artifacts and stories which document the journey to where we are today. He has assembled an extraordinary collection connected to America’s founding, westward expansion, military service, civil rights, and influential figures such as Abraham Lincoln. We are blessed by his willingness to share them. At the heart of his legacy is a simple but powerful belief—freedom must be remembered as carefully as it is defended.

EUGENE METCALFE

Eugene joined the 82nd Airborne and was assigned to the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment during World War II. He found himself as part of the opening wave of the Allied invasion of the Netherlands. After being wounded and captured, he spent time in no less than four different POW and forced labor camps. At one point as Allied planes appeared and confusion reigned, he stepped out of line to help an injured fellow paratrooper. Though threatened by the guards, he delivered the man to safety. Six decades later he learned that he had saved the man’s life. At 103, he still remembers the price of freedom.

CLAUDE D. NEWBY

Claude did not set out to become a Chaplain on the front lines in Vietnam. Yes, he served in the Army in Germany as a soldier, medic, and with America’s last horse-mounted cavalry. He spent time working at Alcatraz and at a police station in Utah. He earned a Bachelor’s degree and taught in a seminary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A Chaplaincy in Vietnam was not where he expected to be. Claude had a fierce focus on serving the soldiers in his care on the front lines, supported by a steadfast wife at home. The medals on his chest are a testament to his service.

PAMELA BORGFELDT-TAYLOR & SIOUX MATSON-KRINGS

As Saigon was falling to the North Vietnamese, Pan Am Airlines still had employees and their families in the country. The company approached four of their female employees and asked if they would be willing to voluntarily fly back into Saigon to help extricate them. President Gerald R. Ford lifted FAA restrictions for one final flight. With determination stronger than fear, they joined the rescue mission. Pamela, Sioux, and two other women used their skills, steadiness, compassion, and courage to bring just enough order to the chaos to load that flight, and while taking off under fire, bring others to a new life of freedom.