Welcoming Week is a nation-wide initiative set forth by W elcoming America where organizations and communities bring together neighbors of all backgrounds to build strong connections and affirm the importance of welcoming and inclusive places in achieving collective prosperity. The brightly-colored Welcoming Wings highlight languages and imagery unique to some of the largest-represented countries of immigration in the Cedar Rapids area.
A Cedar Tree, as seen in the middle of the wings and flag, symbolizes eternity, holiness, peace and longevity for the region. The Czech wings you see here are composed of traditional Czech pattern designs and the colors of the Czech flag. White represents the people of the Czech Republic and their peaceful nature and honesty.
Red represents courage, valor and patriotism, and blue symbolizes vigilance, truth, loyalty and perseverance. The Dharma Chakra from the center of the flag is shown in the gold circles, and represents continuing progress of the nation and the importance of justice in life. The elephant is a traditional symbol of divinity and royalty in India. The Spanish wings feature traditional symbols from Latin culture including maracas, soccer, traditional string guitars, Spanish fans, red Carnation flowers, Dahlia flowers, Sombrero hats, and the national animal of Spain, the bull.
Sugar skulls, or calaveras, peek through as part of this tradition. The African wings represent a wide area that includes more than 45 countries that are fully or partially south of the Sahara. There are many languages spoken in the region, but Swahili makes up the majority. These colorful wings represent many of the colors on flags in the region, along with patterns from wildlife like the leopard, cheetah, tiger and zebra.
The figure of a lion is shown in the center, and is the national animal of Ethiopia, Gambia, Kenya, Libya, Morocco, Sierra Leone, and Togo among others. Saharan plains make an appearance as well as does traditional fabric patterns from the region, and a silhouette of the native giraffe. Bill Aossey. Both landed in Iowa and developed successful businesses. Bill was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, growing up in the Czech Village area. He volunteered to serve in Vietnam on special assignment and served in Saudi Arabia as an instructor with U.
