PRESS RELEASE

December 7, 2005

Lansing, Mich. – Following a 12-month tour in Iraq, 206 Michigan Army National Guard Soldiers from the Greenville-based 1073^rd Maintenance Company will return home tomorrow.  Families, friends and Lt. Gov. John D. Cherry, Jr. will gather at the Greenville Armory to welcome them, following a 5:40 p.m. parade through downtown Greenville. 

The Soldiers were called to active duty October 2004 and sent to Fort Dix, N.J., for in-processing and mission specific training.  They arrived in Iraq Dec. 31.

While in country, the unit provided “direct support” maintenance and supplies to military units throughout western Iraq, processing more than 4,000 job orders.  The unit also provided security for more than 100 convoy missions in the Al Anbar province.

Today, approximately 1,900 Michigan National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are deployed across the globe, at locations such as Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Bosnia.  Since Sept., 11, 2001, 65 percent of the Michigan Guard has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom; however, as Michigan troops serve the nation, more than 80 percent of the Michigan Guard remains available and ready to respond to a state emergency including a terrorist event.

MEDIA ADVISORY

Media is invited to attend the welcome home ceremony.  Busses are expected to arrive at the parade start point (downtown Greenville, corner of M-91 and M-57) at 5:30 p.m.  The parade will start by 5:40 p.m.  The troops will march north on M-91, west on Montcalm Street, and south on Hillcrest Street.  The parade will end by 6 p.m. at the Greenville Armory (319 South Hillcrest--corner of Hillcrest and M-57).  The Soldiers will then meet with their families until 6:30 p.m. when the official ceremony will begin.

 For more information, contact Maj. Dawn Dancer 517-481-8140 (office) or 517-896-0860 (cell).