Skydivers Drop in on Owatonna Farm

In an event to raise awareness and promote the Veterans Adventure Group a sky dive into an Owatonna farm brought out a big group of spectators on Saturday.

U.S. Army veteran and 2006 Owatonna High School graduate Justin Matejcek parachuted in with the American flag. He founded the Veterans Adventure Group this year as a nonprofit organization with the goal of building teams of veterans to accomplish tasks or missions. Matejcek says they are training a group to climb Mount Rainier this summer, while another will hike across canyons in Texas.

Future groups will get their scuba certification and go on a mountain bike team. Matejcek says the team members will then own the gear they use for their mission to continue to pursue their passions.

Saturday's event at the Matejeck family farm included a picnic lunch, paintball, rappelling off of a silo and yard games. A large group of students from Camp Pillsbury were among the spectators and participants.

Matejcek hosted the activities in a token of thanks for area residents who have been supportive of the Veterans Adventure Group. The organization is run by volunteers with all donations going to the formation of teams and providing them with the necessary gear.