Operation LZ motorcade cruises through Franklin County

By: 
Nick Pedley

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A famous war memorial received a warm Franklin County welcome Wednesday during a kickoff ceremony for a special four-day salute to Vietnam War veterans.
The Vietnam Traveling Wall Memorial passed through the area on I-35 escorted by a roaring convoy of motorcycles. The motorcade was headed to Forest City for Operation Landing Zone (LZ), which hopes to give area veterans the welcome home they never received.
Local fire departments parked vehicles on overpasses to greet the motorcade as it passed through area. Firefighters and other wellwishers from Latimer joined the party with two fire trucks decked out in painted banners and American flags.
Bikers, semi drivers and regular motorists honked horns and flashed lights as they passed underneath each overpass. Latimer Fire Chief Mike Keehn said his group tried counting the motorcycles but lost track after 200.
“It was a fantastic sight,” he said. “I was in awe, you could put it that way."
The Vietnam Traveling Wall Memorial will be on display Aug. 26-30 in Forest City. Operation LZ is free and open to the public. Click here for full schedule of events.

Hampton Chronicle

9 Second Street NW
Hampton, IA 50441
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