The City of Akron will pay tribute to the
service of the Akron-based Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine regiment
that returned from Iraq last week. The City is sponsoring a public ceremony Friday,
October 14, at noon at the John S. Knight Center in downtown Akron."As citizens of
this country, we must honor the men and women of the armed forces who answered the
call," said Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic. "It was a privilege to see them off
earlier this year on their way to Iraq. As a community, we prayed for their safe
return."
Approximately 160 marines were assigned to the Akron company. Six of them died in
Operation Iraqi Freedom. Their names will be read and memorialized in a special way at
Friday’s ceremony.
Families of the Marines — those who returned and those who did not — will be
special guests. Doors to the Knight Center will open at 11:15am for the noon event, which
will adjourn at approximately 1:00pm. The volunteer Freedom Brass Band, under the
direction of Richard Jackaboice (JAK uh boyce), will provide the ceremonial music.
"We are encouraging the community to join us and show their support for the
members of our company," said Lt. Col Kevin Rush, site commander of the Dan Street
unit. "We need to let them know how much we appreciate their service and thank them
for the risks they took on behalf of our country."
The John S. Knight Center is collaborating as a sponsor of the event along with The
City of Akron. Mayor Plusquellic announced that parking in city-owned decks will be free
for those attending the event. Families and the public are urged to use one of two parking
decks near the Knight Center:
The Broadway parking deck, south of Mill Street; or,
The Market-High parking deck, south of East Market Street on High Street.
END
