IOWA CITY – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, will be honoring local military veterans on Memorial Day, May 25, 2015, at 1:30 PM at Coralville Lake. The ceremony will be conducted at the East Overlook Picnic Area located on the east side of the Coralville Dam. The public is invited to help recognize and honor these Johnson County Veterans.
This year will mark the 26th Anniversary of the Veteran’s Trail Dedication Ceremony. The memorial service started in 1989 and honors all veterans throughout the nation. Honorees on the Veteran’s Trail are all from the Johnson County area and hold military honors of a Purple Heart or higher.
This year 11 veterans will be recognized for their service: PFC Eugene W. Dunn, CAPT Joseph M. Greer, LTC Allyn D. Gronewold, HM2 Oliver A. Havens, CPT James R. Higginbotham, SGT John J. Kamp, SPC Matthew C. Macke, MAJ David L. Nixon, LCPL Rickey K. Peters, SSG Gregory C. Touzani and S/SGT Benjamin L. Wright.
The ceremony will include a 21 gun salute, the playing of Taps and the singing of the national anthem. A military flyover will take place during the national anthem, weather permitting. Coralville Lake Dam will have 110 American flags flying during the ceremony and throughout the day.
A Veteran’s Trail Virtual Tour will be open immediately after the ceremony. Those with smart phones can scan QR Codes located throughout the trail for a prerecorded tour provided by Major General Sentman’s (RET). The virtual tour allows users to watch videos and see photos of local heroes who have been honored on the Veterans Trail since 1989 via smart phone.
The Veteran’s Trail is open year round due the joint effort of local American Legion Posts, VFW’s, community volunteers and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. With the help of donations and volunteers, the trail continues to stay operational. In 2012, The Veteran’s Trail was recognized and became a National Recreation Trail in the Nations Trail System.
The Veteran’s Trail is a barrier free trail accessible to everyone. Additional information about the dedication ceremony can be obtained by calling the Coralville Lake Office (319)338-3543 extension 6300 or by emailing Coralville.lake@usace.army.mil.