Local residents will have two meaningful opportunities this week to honor and support Iowa National Guard soldiers from Company B, 1st Battalion 133d Infantry and Company A, 224th Engineers as they prepare for deployment.
On Wednesday, May 28, Company B will depart from the Iowa City Readiness Center located at 4540 Melrose Avenue, Iowa City. Community members are invited to attend the farewell ceremony, with doors opening at 4:30 p.m. and the ceremony beginning at 5:30 p.m. The unit will then travel south on Highway 218, expected to pass through Mount Pleasant around 7:30 p.m.
Residents are encouraged to line the pedestrian bridge connecting Linden Heights to East Lake Park, waving flags and holding signs to show support as the soldiers pass through the area.
The next day, Thursday, May 29, Company A, 224th Engineers will report for duty at 1:30 p.m. at the Mount Pleasant Armory, 405 E Thresher Rd. A formal send-off ceremony will begin at 2:30 p.m. in Wright Pavilion, followed by time with family and friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Departure is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., when buses carrying the unit will leave Mount Pleasant.
The community is encouraged to line Walnut and East Washington Streets, extending all the way to U.S. Highway 218 near Davis Home Sales, to salute the soldiers as they begin their journey. The escort will include the Mount Pleasant Police Department, Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, and Mount Pleasant Fire Department, along with a motorcade of veteran and civilian motorcycles accompanying the convoy to the Missouri border.
Another chance to cheer on the troops comes Thursday at 5:45 p.m. as locals are again urged to gather on the Linden Heights-East Lake pedestrian bridge for one last wave and cheer.
These service members are the sons and daughters of our community—friends, neighbors, and family. Let’s come together to show our deep appreciation, respect, and support as they answer the call to serve.