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Soldiers’ return set for Sunday

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Parade route for the return of Company A on Sunday.

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Photo by Dan Lassiter

Bob Anderson and his son Bobby tie a yellow ribbon around a tree on Milton Ave. in Janesville in preparation for a welcome home parade for National Guard troops from Company A out of Janesville.

JANESVILLE — A welcome home parade for members of Alpha Company is planned Sunday in Janesville, said parade organizer Lucy Anderson.

The unit now is at Fort McCoy, where members are being processed. They will travel by bus Sunday to the National Guard Armory in Janesville, where they are expected to arrive about 4:30 p.m., Anderson said.

Plans are for Janesville police and fire units to meet the buses on Milton Avenue near Interstate 90/39 and escort them down Milton Avenue to Milwaukee Street and left onto Main Street to the armory.

Residents who want to hold welcome home signs should meet in the Big Lots parking lot, 1714 Milton Ave., about 3:30 p.m., Anderson said.

Residents who want to watch should stand along the parade route and be in place by about 4:15 p.m., Anderson said. People are encouraged to spread out so the entire parade route is lined with well wishers, she said.

Residents are asked to stay away from the armory to give privacy to soldiers and their families, Anderson said.

Organizers have contacted businesses along Milton Avenue to ask that they put welcome home messages on their marquees. Some businesses already have changed their signs, Anderson said.

Organizers also have put yellow ribbons on trees along the parade route. Homeowners should leave the ribbons on the trees, as volunteers will collect them after the parade, Anderson said.

Veterans along the parade route will wave 140 small American flags donated by the Janesville Patriotic Society, Anderson said.

A formal welcome home ceremony for the Janesville- and Elkhorn-based Alpha Company of the 132nd Support Battalion is planning in Janesville in April.

The unit’s commander requested the delay to give his soldiers time to adjust, Anderson said.