Anticipation must be at a fever pitch for family and friends of members of the Maine Army National Guard’s 172nd Mountain Company headquartered in Brewer and serving in Iraq, because these troops are expected to return home shortly.

And while the troops “left without a parade, little media attention or fanfare,” wrote Family Readiness Group leader Aimee Brooks, it is the hope of their loved ones that they will receive a most fitting welcome upon their return.

Because they left so quietly, Brooks believes their welcome home deserves a grand celebration, so the Family Readiness Group is planning a major event sometime after they return.

I understand the soldiers will be feted with a dinner, music, entertainment, and if they live outside the Bangor area, overnight accommodations for a celebration scheduled for Saturday, May 5, at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer.

Brooks acknowledges and appreciates the thoughtfulness of supporters who sent care packages to the soldiers but now asks “in lieu of a package … that you consider a donation to help us defray the costs associated with a Welcome Home Celebration.”

The family members of the 172nd Mountain Company “have felt your support and appreciated your prayers,” she wrote.

“We are grateful for any donation you are able to provide. Continue to keep these military heroes in your thoughts and prayers.”

Donations can be made payable to the B Co 3/172 MTN INF-Family Readiness Group. Mailing address is Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, Company B, 3rd Battalion 172nd Infantry (Mountain) Family Readiness Group, 133 Elm St., Brewer 04412-1739.

Recently, the Bangor Daily News received a letter from Harry Rideout of Hermon commenting on the Support the Troops sign with lots of yellow ribbons and photos that hangs in the Texas Roadhouse Restaurant in Bangor.

He wrote he and his wife were pleased to learn that restaurant patrons “could take in a photo of their loved one serving in the Armed Forces … and replace one of the yellow ribbons” with that photograph, “eventually forming a nice collage.”

The Rideouts, I later learned, have been recognized and honored for their work as ambassadors for the Freedom Team Salute Program, which seeks ways “to say thank you to veterans and present-day soldiers and military people,” Rideout wrote.

One of the pieces of information they are able to provide is a booklet written by a general’s wife titled “Your Soldier Your Army: A Parents’ Guide,” which the Rideouts give “parents of Army soldiers who are serving now, whether in the regular Army, Reserves or Guard.”

If you would like more information about this program, or a copy of the booklet, write Rideout at 2317 Union St., Hermon 04401-0812 or call him at 848-2691.

From Maj. Debbie Kelley of the Maine Air National Guard 101st Air Refueling Wing in Bangor comes word the MAINEiacs are supporting deployed members with two overseas charitable projects.

Master Sgt. Howard Samiya is the contact person for Operation Iraqi Child, assisting children in the community where he is stationed.

Contributions of chewable vitamins, gently-used or new clothing and new blankets are among the needed items.

Also, dry, nonperishable food in cans, boxes or well-sealed bags, such as rice and cereal, would be appreciated, and monetary donations are being accepted for postage.

Tech. Sgt. Brian Smith is the contact person for Operation School Supplies and requests the following items: colored markers or colored pencils, pens, 12-inch metric rulers, round-end scissors, erasers, pencil sharpeners and 6-ounce bottles of glue or glue sticks.

Also, construction paper, coloring books, deflated soccer balls and air pumps, Frisbee discs and jump-ropes.

Vine Street Elementary School PTA has challenged other local schools to participate, and pupils who do can help meet their community service obligation to qualify for Camp Bangor scholarships.

The drop-off locations for these projects include Union Street Laundromat & Dry Cleaners on Union or Harlow streets; Atlantic Awards, 840 Hammond St.; and Realty of Maine, 458 Main St., all in Bangor; or Turner’s Sporting Goods, Main Road, Hampden.

For more information about these projects, e-mail mark.giles@mebngr.ang.af.mil or familyservices@mebngr.ang.af.mil; write Family Services, 101st Air Refueling Wing, 103 MAINEiacs Ave., Suite 505, Bangor 04401, or call 990-7494.

To support families of Guard members, MAINEiacs Family Services also is selling cookbooks and ribbon magnets for cars.

The cookbooks are available at The Curtain Shop, and the magnets are available at Kev-Lan and The Corner Store, all in Bangor.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.