The Hamilton County Board of Supervisors announces a dedication ceremony of the newly created Red Bull Division & Hamilton County Veterans Historical Monument for 10 a.m. on May 23. The ceremony will take place at the monument, located at the southeast corner of the court house grounds, adjacent to Red Bull Division Drive in Webster City.

In 2010, the county constructed a new street on the south side of the court- house and gave it the U S Army 34th “Red Bull” Infantry Division’s unit name in honor of the many Iowa Army National Guardsmen from Hamilton County who have served and continue to serve in the division since it was formed near the end of World War I.

“Nearly from the time that we decided on the name for the street, the board began considering the construction of a monument that would honor and remember not just the Red Bulls of Company E, but all veterans, going back to the beginnings of the County”, said Board of Supervisors Chairman Wes Sweedler. “It has taken nearly four years of discussions and many different designs and ideas, but we believe that the final product is something that the citizens and veterans of Hamilton County can take pride in,” he said.

The central focus of the monument is a brushed stainless steel sculpture over thirteen feet tall that features the Red Bull insignia. The sculpture was created by local artist Tim Adams of Stony Creek Landscapes in Webster City. On either side of the sculpture will be four graphic panels that will tell the history of the Red Bull Division and local Company “E”, plus the involvement of County residents in the major conflicts of our country, beginning with the Spirit Lake Rescue Mission in 1857 by local Militia Company “C”. The panels are still in the process of being created, to be installed later in the summer.

Col. Damian Donahoe, Commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th “Red Bull” Infantry Division of the Iowa Army National Guard will be the guest speaker for the ceremony.

Rev. Mike Willer, Chaplain, 734th Regional Support Group of the Iowa Army National Guard and a former “Red Bull” will offer a closing prayer.

The 2nd Iowa Light Artillery, a Civil War Re-enactment group from the Sac City area, will close the ceremony with a firing salute using a vintage artillery piece.

Webster City American Legion Post 191 is in charge of Colors for ceremony.

The ceremony is open to all and of course all veterans and their families are encouraged to attend.

In the case of inclement weather the ceremony will be held in the District Court Room on the second floor of the courthouse.

Parking is available in the East Lot of the Court House grounds, and there is an ADA compliant sidewalk leading up to the monument from the parking lot.