Though it won't be George W's motorcade rolling down Kemp Avenue, event organizers hope Lawrence County's soldiers get a presidential welcome.

Ohio University Southern will host a welcome-home ceremony at 4 p.m. today in Bowman Auditorium in honor of the troops of the Ohio Army National Guard's 216th Engineer Battalion and other soldiers who have served their country.

The event itself will feature nearly all of the county's state, local and national elected leaders, presentations by area youth and finally the soldiers themselves sharing their experiences in their own words.

Organizers want the community to show their support at the event and afterwards at approximately 5:30 p.m. as a motorcade travels down Kemp Avenue to a private dinner at the VFW Post 8850.

"One of the reasons I would like to see the community come show its support is that the soldiers of the 216th are citizen soldiers. They are members of our community," said Dr. Dan Evans, OUS dean. "They live here, work here and raise their families here. They have given up their lives so that we can continue to live the life we have here in America.

"In many ways, we are thanking not only soldiers but our co-workers, our friends and our family for the sacrifices they have made for us."

Evans encouraged everyone to grab their flags, their homemade signs and banners to line the street and show support for the men and women who braved far more.

The 216th returned from Iraq last month after being stationed near Tikrit for more than a year. The unit consists of professionals that include carpenters, plumbers, electricians and heavy equipment operators who assisted in humanitarian efforts that include building bridges, roads, buildings and other engineer support within an area approximately the size of West Virginia.

Overall, soldiers of the 216th have earned more than 20 Bronze Star nominations - four for valor - more than 15 Purple Heart medals for wounds received in action and numerous Army Commendation Medals. It is this type of bravery and honor that will draw a crowd today.

Lt. Col. Scott Evans and Sgt. 1st class Tim Nicely will represent the 216th. Ironton Mayor John Elam, Lawrence County Commissioner George Patterson, Ironton Municipal Judge and former Det. 1 Commanding Officer O. Clark Collins Jr., State Rep. Clyde Evans, State Senators Tom Niehaus and John Carey and U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland will also be featured.