This afternoon, the sound of cannon fire will be heard throughout the city.
As explained in an announcement from the Merrill Police Department Friday afternoon, the sound will be result of a training exercise planned at the National Guard Armory.
“On Saturday April 14, 2018 at approximately 1:00PM, there will be training underway at the National Guard Armory in Merrill. A howitzer cannon will be brought in for instruction and demonstration with blank training ammunition. Approximately 2-3 training blanks will be fired in the area and may startle those unaware of the training.(Pine Crest and the Humane Society have already been advised) So please spread the word and do not encroach upon their training,” the announcement stated.
‘As you might guess, this part of the training is not a routine exercise. However, as the Staff Sergeant explained, this was a rare opportunity to fully engage their recruits in training that can have a tendency to be repetitive and dry at times. Please extend your patience to those visiting our community, patronizing our local businesses, and (most importantly) serving our country!”