OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Paratroopers will make their way to the greater Ottumwa Park this Independence Day and you are invited.
The ceremony honors veterans from all the wars and pays tribute to those who gave their lives.
While an annual event, a new eagle statue will be dedicated officially joining the Veterans Memorial.
“We will have a ceremony after the dedication of the eagle to all branches of service. ROTC will post the colors and the VFW will pay the final salute to the comrades,” said Danny Mathews, President of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 667.
The event’s organizers said the event means a lot to the veterans and seeing people honor our independence.
“(People should come to) pay respect to our soldiers and our country. I think it is a good tradition to see the American Flag and pay respect to our soldiers on the Fourth of July,” Mathews said.
The paratroopers are scheduled to land at 1:00 in the field next to the Jimmy Jones shelter.
The service at the Veterans Memorial is scheduled for 2:00.
If the weather prohibits the landing at 1:00, they will try again for 4:00.