Soldiers coming home

The Montana Army National Guard announced Friday that the 639th Quartermaster Company is expected to arrive back in Montana from Iraq on or about Jan. 1.

Headquartered in Havre with units in Libby and Kalispell, about 130 members of the 639th deployed in January 2009. After training, the members spent 11 months in Iraq conducting transportation, fuel and maintenance missions.

Their arrival home marks the completion of the 639th’s second tour. The unit deployed to Iraq the first time from December 2003 to March 2005.

The public is invited to help hang yellow ribbons today for the unit’s anticipated homecoming.

Scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., the decorating event kicks off at Kalispell’s Depot Park, where volunteers meet to pick up yellow ribbons along with instructions and assigned areas to cover.

Heidi Roedel, a volunteer helping organize the yellow-ribbon hanging, said weather will not impact plans.

The Scott Vallely Memorial Fund is sponsoring this event. People who want to donate to help with the cost of ribbons, banners and signs should go to  www.soldiersmemorialfund.org and click the special project button for the event.