OTTUMWA — Hundreds of people from around the area showed up to Bridge View on Saturday to pay tribute to those who have fought to protect our freedom.

The 833rd Engineering Battalion Benefit Party was held from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. to honor the soldiers who have gone overseas to defend this nation.

The money raised at the party will go toward helping families of the 833rd.

Coordinator of the 833rd Engineering Battalion Benefit Party Roger Borror said this is something he has been wanting to do for a couple of years.

“When they came back the first time, I wanted to do something, but never did, and then when they came back for the second time, I knew I had to do something or I wasn’t going to be able to,” he said.

“I just wanted to do something to show that we are in support of our troops, not just the ones from around here, although that is who it is for, but for all the soldiers who are over there fighting,” Borror said. “These men and women are the heart of America.”

Borror said the party was just as big as he expected. By 5 p.m., he said there had already been about 500 people who had shown up to come listen to the bands, drink and meet some of the soldiers and their families.

Borror is also working on a 833rd specially designed motorcycle that will be auctioned off around Veterans Day. The money from the benefit party will go to help build the bike, and then once it is completed and auctioned off, all proceeds will go to help the members of the 833rd and their families.

“I think this is a great thing Roger is doing by raising money for the families,” said 833rd/former 224th Soldier Shawn Drummond. “It makes it feel like we are appreciated.

Drummond was deployed the first time the company left for Iraq. Though his company did not go on the second excursion, he knows what it is like and said that is why this event meant so much to him.

Drummond said he also attended the event because he wanted to get a chance to see what the motorcycle that Borror was building looked like.

“I might have to put a bid on that when he auctions it off,” he said, laughing.

But it wasn’t just local residents and bands who came out to show their support.

Des Moines’ Rude Mood band member Justin Kesterson said though he is not from around the area, he jumped at the chance when he heard there was going to be a benefit party for troops from Iowa.

“We wanted to play here to show that we are in support of all those over there fighting,” he said. “I don’t personally know anyone over there, but I wanted to give back to the men and women who have given us so much by protecting our homeland.”