PROCTORVILLE- Roughly 35 miles between Proctorville and Ironton will become a parade route Saturday.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6878 in Proctorville is organizing a patriotic tribute to American military men and women who are fighting in the war in Iraq.

"They can bring their flags and banners and whatever they want," said Dean Cooper, commander of the post. "We want to show that we support our troops. They're doing a fine job. We should support our troops over there. I get tired of the protesters. Whether you like the war or not you should support the troops."

Cooper said anyone who wants to be in the parade should meet at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds at noon, with the parade beginning at 1 p.m. The procession will take State Route 7 through Proctorville and Chesapeake and then follow County Road 1 through South Point. The procession will use U.S. 52 from South Point into Coal Grove, where it will turn onto Marion Pike and then South Third Street through Ironton.

The procession will wind past the Lawrence County Courthouse before exiting the city via Park Avenue back to U.S. 52 for the return trip to the fairgrounds.

"All the police departments and the sheriff's office are going to help us," Cooper said. "We want this to go as smoothly as possible."

The VFW #6878 had a patriotic parade during the Persian Gulf war as well. That parade was a mile long, Cooper said.

The VFW is also having its annual ramp dinner at the VFW Hall Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cooper said the dinner brings in people from as far away as Detroit to sample the Appalachian fare of ramps, beans and cornbread.