NATCHEZ &8212; Organizers of today&8217;s events to welcome home the local members of the 155th Infantry are encouraging the public to join the celebration.

A parade begins at 10 a.m. today to honor the troops, who returned in waves late last month and this month after a year-long tour of duty in Iraq.

&8220;We&8217;d love to see people come out to honor the soldiers,&8221; said Tracy Cowan, a member of the 155th Family Readiness Group. Cowan&8217;s son served in Iraq.

The parade begins at the parking lot across Canal Street from the convention center and will wind its way downtown to Rankin Street.

Community groups are welcome to participate in the events if they bring patriotic items such as flags to carry in the parade. Parade participants are asked to be at the convention center lot by 9:30 a.m. today.

Members of the 155th are expected to participate and are encouraged to wear their desert combat uniforms. Soldiers will assemble at the National Guard Armory at 8:30 a.m. today.

Later in the day, members of the 155th and their families will enjoy a barbecue.

Tonight, soldiers and their families will be the guests of honor at a banquet at the Natchez Convention Center. Several area businesses have signed up to sponsor the ticketed event.

Cowan and other support group members spent all day Friday decorating the convention center&8217;s main hall for the event. By Friday evening, tables were decorated with American flags, posters drawn by McLaurin Elementary students and Valentines made by Parkway Baptist Church youth group.

Bobby Derrick has volunteered his services as a DJ for the event.

Cowan said she was overwhelmed by the support. &8220;I am just stunned,&8221; she said. &8220;The community support has been outstanding.&8221;