• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Mother's Day Gift Guide
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Mother's Day Gift Guide
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

PHOTO GALLERY: Let Freedom Ring


  • By Pam Eubanks
  • | 5:00 a.m. November 11, 2012
  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • Share
PHOTO GALLERY: Let Freedom Ring
Principal Jim Mennes assisted students with ringing the Freedom Bell in the school courtyard at Freedom Elementary School.
Principal Jim Mennes assisted students with ringing the Freedom Bell in the school courtyard at Freedom Elementary School.
Andrew Hueffner wore a patriotic hat to the assembly at Freedom Elementary.
Andrew Hueffner wore a patriotic hat to the assembly at Freedom Elementary.
Aba Sankah, 10, was one of three student speakers at Freedom Elementary's ceremony.
Aba Sankah, 10, was one of three student speakers at Freedom Elementary's ceremony.
Cadence Bakker, 10, spoke about the history of Veterans Day at at Freedom Elementary's ceremony.
Cadence Bakker, 10, spoke about the history of Veterans Day at at Freedom Elementary's ceremony.
Children paid close attention.
Children paid close attention.
Veteran Billy Coffey got help from Freedom students with raising the U.S. Army’s flag.
Veteran Billy Coffey got help from Freedom students with raising the U.S. Army’s flag.
Veteran Billy Coffey got help from Freedom students with raising the U.S. Army's flag.
Veteran Billy Coffey got help from Freedom students with raising the U.S. Army's flag.
Children sang after the flag-raising ceremony at Freedom.
Children sang after the flag-raising ceremony at Freedom.
Veterans Dennis Merriman and Denny King raised the American flag with the help of two Freedom Elementary School students.
Veterans Dennis Merriman and Denny King raised the American flag with the help of two Freedom Elementary School students.

 

Latest News

Sunday morning crash kills 18-year-old on Interstate 75
  • May 11, 2026
Sunday morning crash kills 18-year-old on Interstate 75
Officer Jorge Castro had his badge pinned onto his uniform by his wife, Melissa Castro, after he was sworn in as the newest Longboat Key Police Department officer Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
  • May 11, 2026
New Longboat Key police officer brings force to 19
Spring break helped bring an year-over-year increase in tourism to Sarasota County in March.
  • May 11, 2026
Tourism sees increase of visitors in March
The update of the Sarasota City Plan includes the Recreation and Open Space chapter.
  • May 9, 2026
May 11 city plan update open house cancelled

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

Waterside’s Victoria Ortiz, 24, said her 7-month-old son, Flynn, has changed her life for the better.
  • May 10, 2026
Mothers discuss their journeys before their special day
Parker Hippich, 12 months, gets a lift from mom, Tessa Hippich, during Petals and Poses on Saturday at Waterside Place.
  • May 10, 2026
All about the mothers at special event in Lakewood Ranch
Alannis Peterson of Prism Artistry "eats" fire at Agave Bandido for its Cinco de Mayo Celebration May 5.
  • May 6, 2026
Agave Bandido hosts Cinco de Mayo party in Waterside of Lakewood Ranch
Janet and Dean Mixon are retiring. The couple sold their food truck to Polk Sheriff Charities, Inc.
  • May 6, 2026
Mixon Swirl food truck finds a new home in Polk County
The Sourdough Society of Lakewood Ranch members Camille Piccininni, Erica Calka and David Wiegand each created a loaf of sourdough with different ingredients to make each unique.
  • May 5, 2026
Sourdough Society of Lakewood Ranch rises by sharing ideas
A beaming Dick Vitale with his All-Courageous Kids at the 21st annual Dick Vitale Gala held on May 1 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
  • May 4, 2026
Dick Vitale Gala raises $21 million for pediatric cancer research

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free