Deputy CG of Ft. McCoy to Speak at 2nd Annual VET BBQ

Eau Claire – 11/05/09 – A convoy of nine military vehicles from the Wisconsin National Guard and FortMcCoy will precede the 2nd annual Veterans Day BBQ at Minnesota Wire, Eau Claire on Veterans Day. Beginning at 10:30 am, the diverse group of vehicles (ranging from Humvees to large cranes and fuelers) will work their way from the 397th Engineer Battalion Headquarters to Minnesota Wire’s production facility on Prospect Avenue.

The “Eau Claire Veterans Day BBQ 2009 – Serving Freedom’s Finest” will run from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Veterans Day, November 11th at 2515 Prospect Drive, Eau Claire. The afternoon will include a colors ceremony and dedication, a free BBQ, military static displays, corporate and Veteran support organization display booths, tours of Minnesota Wire’s defense related product lines, vintage vehicles from the Indianhead Old Car Club, and the Honor Society of the American Lgion’s “Loci” train, among many other attractions. The Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 88th Regional Support Command, Brigadier General Frank Cippola, will deliver brief remarks about the current conflicts in hich our military is engaged.

The BBQ is a much anticipated community gathering to thank Veterans and military service members, and to raise funds for the Wisconsin Veterans Assistance Program (VAP). Last year’s event drew over 300 people from the surrounding community. As the principal organizer, Minnesota Wire is joining with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Chippewa Falls VAP, Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce, and regional Veterans organizations to plan and conduct the event. This is a free program, and is open to the public, but “free will” donations will be encouraged to support the ChippewaFallsVAP. Anyone interested in a corporate or individual sponsorship, or exhibiting at the event can contact Brian Wagner at 715.874.4580 x 6816 (or) at bwagner@mnwire.com.