Storm Lake Police Officer and Iowa Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Gerardo Bravo has been selected as the featured speaker for this year’s Patriotic Ceremony, part of the 2026 Star Spangled Spectacular celebration.
The ceremony is set for 5:30 p.m. Friday, July 3, at Sunset Park. The event will lead into an evening of music, including performances by the Storm Lake Municipal Band and PetRock Band.
Commodores Tyler and Deidre Aube said Bravo was a natural fit for this year’s theme, “Built on Freedom. Bound by Community.”
“Officer Bravo embodies the spirit of this year’s theme,” the Aubes said, noting his dual service as a local police officer and a member of the Iowa Army National Guard.
Bravo, who grew up in Storm Lake after being born in Los Angeles, graduated from Storm Lake High School in 2012 and later attended Iowa Central Community College. He joined the Iowa Army National Guard in 2010, a decision that allowed him to serve his country while staying close to home and pursuing a career in law enforcement. He now holds the rank of Staff Sergeant and has completed two overseas deployments.
Since 2016, Bravo has served as a patrol officer with the Storm Lake Police Department. He and his wife, Jessica, an English teacher, are raising their daughter, Emilia, in Storm Lake.
Bravo said the theme resonates deeply with his own experiences.
“When I hear the phrase ‘Built on Freedom. Bound by Community,’ I think about the foundation of our nation,” he said. “The freedoms we enjoy today were earned and protected by generations of Americans who were willing to serve, sacrifice and stand up for something greater than themselves.”
He added that his military service reinforced the idea that freedom comes with responsibility.
“No one succeeds alone,” Bravo said. “We rely on one another, look out for one another, and accomplish more together than we ever could by ourselves.”
Community members are invited to attend the ceremony and hear Bravo’s remarks as Storm Lake kicks off its 2026 Independence Day festivities.
A full schedule of events is available at starspangledspectacular.net or on the organization’s social media pages.
