Dyersburg's 168th to be home Sunday; parade planned to greet soldiers

Sunday's parade to welcome home Dyersburg's 168th MP Battalion will take place around 5 p.m. or shortly after. The convoy will exit off of Highway 412 onto East Court Street and go to the Court House. They will circle the Court House one time and continue up Troy and Parr Avenue to the armory. The public is being asked not to go to the armory so the families of the troops may greet them in private.

The unit arrived back in the United States, last week, from their yearlong mission in Iraq.

They flew in to Fort Dix, N.J. and after debriefing they made their way to Smyrna, Tenn.

Some of the members of the Dyersburg unit that live close to Smyrna will be dismissed from there. The remainder of the troops will leave there at 2 p.m. and travel by bus to Dyersburg.

Members of the Freedom Riders will meet the buses at the beginning of Highway 412 in Jackson. The Dyer County Sheriff's Department will add to the convoy when they pass through Friendship. The Dyersburg Police Department will also join in at some point along the route.

The busses will exit Highway 412 onto East Court Street and travel west to the Dyer County Courthouse. The convoy will make a loop around the Courthouse and continue up Troy and Parr Avenue until they reach the armory.

Residents are encouraged to come and wave to the troops as they pass along the route.

"It would be great to see all of Dyer County come and show their support of a successful mission," said Lt. Scott Sewell, who is in charge of the rear detachment of the battalion. "I'm sure they would love to see everybody stand along the parade route as they passed by to remind them of why they deployed to begin with."

Lynn Fritchey of the Dyer County Red Cross has been assisting in arrangements to welcome home the troops.

"We're so excited they are coming in 24 hours sooner," said Fritchey. "I hope everyone can get out there and wave flags and line the parade route."

When the soldiers get to the armory they will have a final formation and be dismissed.

Military officials are requesting the public not come to the armory, so the soldiers may greet their families in private.

The State Gazette will send out text alerts as the parade gets close to Dyersburg on Sunday.