Cedar Rapids, Iowa, conducts a multi-event celebration for the 4th of July. One of those events is the selection of four “Heroes” in the community. For 2019, they selected two of Marion (Iowa) American Legion Post 298’s members who are both past commanders of the post. Al Etzel is a WWII Army soldier who fought in the Pacific Theater. Channel 9 News conducted an interview at this link: https://www.kcrg.com/content/news/Veteran-recalls-memories-of-WWII-I-get...

Ron Dirks is a Vietnam veteran. His interview is at this link:
https://www.kcrg.com/content/news/Veteran-recalls-memories-of-WWII-I-get...

In 2018 member Dennis Kendrick was recognized as one of the four.