The Albert Lea–Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the grand marshals for the Third of July Parade. In keeping with our theme of “Celebrate Our Armed Forces,” this year’s grand marshals will be the members of Delta Company, who recently returned from deployment. Delta Company is part of the 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment within the 34th “Red Bull” Division of the Minnesota National Guard.

Most of the citizen soldiers come from the Minnesota and surrounding states. The First Minnesota Regiment, today the 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment was the first volunteer regiment to offer its services to President Lincoln. The men are most remembered for their actions on the late afternoon of July 2, 1863, during the second day’s fighting at Gettysburg, resulting in the prevention of a serious breach in the Union defensive line on Cemetery Ridge. The regiment traces its history from The Civil War both world wars and continues to serve today through deployments to Saudi Arabia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait.

For more information, please contact the Chamber at 373-3938.