The public is invited to an Open House at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot (PCD) June 14 for a ceremony that marks the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP) nearing main plant operations and to celebrate the 241st birthday of the U.S. Army.

“We want the public to join us as we recognize our upcoming milestone with a ribbon cutting ceremony,” said Greg Mohrman, site project manager, PCAPP.

The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m., at the PCD parade field at 45825 Highway 96 East.

“For more than 60 years, the depot has provided safe, secure storage of the chemical weapons stockpile in Pueblo,” said Col. Thomas Duncan, commander, PCD. “We want members of the community to visit us and help mark the occasion.”

“PCAPP operations will begin when the plant is ready; when the people who operate it are trained and proficient and when all of the necessary paper, including permits, systems test reports and procedures are complete,” Mohrman said.

As systemization ends, pilot testing, a phase during which agent-filled munitions will be gradually introduced into the system, will begin, Mohrman said.

“We want everyone to know what we are doing here on the depot,” Duncan said. “The area is safe and cared for and will go back to the community in the years to come.”

Additional attractions include a Doss Aviation flyover, music by an element of the U.S. Army Materiel Command band and a mounted color guard.