Soldiers’ return set for Sunday
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Parade route for the return of Company A on Sunday.
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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.
Jan 25, 2010 at 9:44 a.m.
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I do not read any comments from anyone being ungrateful for any of the sacrifices freely given by these troops. Rather than rancorously dismiss others with whose opinions you don't agree, wouldn't it be far better if all Americans shared the burden of keeping them out of harms way by not seeing world conflicts in black-and-white, by learning to respect and understand other cultures around the globe, striving for alternative conflict resolution, and by vigorously working to make sure there was never, ever any reason those soldiers would have to leave home? Do we, as a nation, have the will and courage to do that given our troops are now in over 150 nations throughout the planet? http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/w... - http://motherjones.com/military-maps
Jan 24, 2010 at 6:56 p.m.
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It makes me sick to my stomach knowing there are people out there , who don't appreciate what these great men and women are doing for our country. They have put their lives on the line to protect and defend fellow Americans. Even the ungrateful ones. These people have no idea how hard it is leave your families back at home to do something so great and come home heroes. I have seen first hand, loved one going off to war and its not easy.
Jan 24, 2010 at 6:09 p.m.
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"Could someone please provide a single example of the military defending our nation from attack?"
Darwin, since you made it easy...How about WWII? I'm not going to debate our behind the scenes involvement on the European Theater, but on the Pacific Front how about everything that occurred after Pearl Harbor?
Jan 24, 2010 at 3:20 p.m.
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..."what are WE who are left behind doing every day"...
Good questions, proartist, and I'd think everyone would want to know the answers. I'm thinking we are of the same mind about peace being preferrable to war. Of course it is-who can doubt it? But, of course, absolutely everyone would have to feel the same way-and yes, it would be nice to figure out how to make it so. But-all that being said, for this moment I was safely sticking to welcoming our service members home (wish they could all be home), because no matter what we feel about the big story, they deserve that.
Jan 24, 2010 at 2:06 p.m.
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"Who can deny that they, as individuals, deserve to be recognised and to be welcomed back to the (relative) safety of the home and families they were willing to leave behind." - RUSerious
Absolutely AGREED! However....what are WE who are left behind doing every day and every moment to make sure that they, and future generations no matter of what nation, will put as much energy, time and money into alternatives so they NEVER have to leave "the (relative) safety of the home and families" ever again? Does anyone wonder about the general American population who don't even think about our nation being at war for days on end as daily life goes on without the slightest consideration or interruption; those who won't even talk about it because it might cause some uncomfortable conversation?
Jan 24, 2010 at 1:15 p.m.
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Does it matter (in the case of welcoming our local heroes) what we as individuals feel about war? The fact is, they were putting it all on the line to serve, and to protect us when called upon. Who can deny that they, as individuals, deserve to be recognised and to be welcomed back to the (relative) safety of the home and families they were willing to leave behind. I admire their courage. Enjoy your day guys and gals!
Jan 24, 2010 at 12:51 p.m.
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"could you give even one example of peaceniks ending or preventing a war." - mark-twain
A resounding yes! I strongly advise you to read about ACTIVE, hard and COURAGEOUS pacifism preventing and ending war in the following books:
"No Alternatives: Nonviolent Responses to Represssive Regimes"John Lampen, William Sessions, Ltd.
"A Force More Powerful: A Century of Nonviolent Conflict" Peter Ackerman & Jack Duvall, Palgrave Publishers
"Cultures of Peace: The Hidden Side of History" Elise Boulding, Syracuse University Press
Jan 24, 2010 at 12:21 p.m.
Jan 24, 2010 at 10:54 a.m.
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Could someone please provide a single example of the military defending our nation from attack?
Jan 23, 2010 at 6:17 a.m.
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I will be waiting along the route to give them the grateful return that they deserve. After all of these years I will also be thinking about my two friends that were killed in Vietnam. I would welcome a return to Janesville of the Vietnam traveling wall to honor the veterans of that war. Final thouht - It's time to BRING HOME all of the heroes in Iraq and Afganistan.
Jan 22, 2010 at 7:29 p.m.
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As a wife of one of the returning soldiers I am filled with emotion from all the caring I see from the community. Thank you all so very much.
Jan 22, 2010 at 5:31 p.m.
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Wouldnt miss this for the world!
Jan 22, 2010 at 5:25 p.m.
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Welcome Home!! I got to go save a seat on the route!! Thank You for your service so that all the rest of us can have the freedoms and lives that we have!! God Bless and Thank You!! once again!!
Jan 22, 2010 at 11:15 a.m.
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GREAT JOB ALPHA COMPANY-WELCOME HOME-Thank you to Lucy and all volunteers to organize this parade, please try and make the parade and show the soldiers that Janesville cares!!!
Jan 22, 2010 at 9:22 a.m.
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This is an awesome thing to do. To let our soldiers know their sacrifices are appreciated and not forgotten.
Too many soldiers come home with a feeling that they did something wrong.
Great job everyone!!
Jan 22, 2010 at 9:11 a.m.
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I’ve been on one of those buses and seeing all the people along the street is amazing. I hope Milton avenue is lined with cheering crowds the entire way.
Jan 21, 2010 at 10:14 p.m.
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Welcome Home!!! This community loves our service men and women. We honor you all for your dedication and commitment. As we honor these soldiers please keep in your thoughts and prayers those that went before them as there have been so many in the history of this community from the Janesville 99 to those honored in Traxler Park. Glad you are all home safe and sound, my children and I will be cheering for you on Milton Ave on Sunday
Jan 21, 2010 at 8:51 p.m.
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Being a wife to a Marine, I know how much the support of our community means to these men and women. Until now, I truly didn't think Janesville really paid much attention to those deployed or to the families of the deployed, being that we don't have any bases very close. But thank you, to the men and women of Alpha Company of the 132nd Support Battalion, and thank you to everyone else in the military. You all put your lives on the line so that we can go about our everyday lives, and you are all heroes in my eyes. WELCOME HOME!
Jan 21, 2010 at 7:26 p.m.
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This brings tears to my eyes. I am so grateful that Janesville has been so supportive of the troops and their families! Being the wife of one of the soldiers, I can say that I have been very impressed with the support of everyone. Our soldiers are amazing and do so much for our country and its great to see people appreciating everything that they do.
Jan 21, 2010 at 6:43 p.m.
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Welcome home to ALL Janesville soldiers who may or may not be in this unit. It's about time the community supports our military AND the families. We have had Janesville soldiers deploying over and over for years, but the community never really showed much interest until a huge deployment knocks on the door. A large majority never knew there was a local National Guard unit. Did you know we had a local group deploy in 2005? I hope this community is not being superficial and continues to show support regardless of the number who deploy. Also, the families deserve this just as much as the soldiers. Can't begin to understand what deployment does to the entire family. Thank you families for staying strong, keeping the faith and working as a team to ensure these soldiers have a home to return to. You truly are amazing!!!
Readers, please do not misinterpret my point of view because I am one of the biggest supporters of military families.
Jan 21, 2010 at 6:32 p.m.
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WELCOME HOME!!!!! thank you for all you do!!!!
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