AHOSKIE – Tie a yellow ribbon ’round the old oak tree, or any other immovable object for that matter.

In honor of local Army National Guard troops beginning to make the move home from deployment in Iraq, Town of Ahoskie officials are planning to welcome their return with yellow ribbons.

&uot;We owe these men our deep gratitude for protecting our freedom as well as helping to establish a free government in Iraq,&uot; said Ahoskie Mayor Linda Blackburn.

The Mayor said the town would tie yellow ribbons in front of the Town Hall as well as at No Man’s Land Park. She encouraged Ahoskie business owners to follow suit.

&uot;The town supports this effort and we welcome business owners and private citizens to join us in welcoming these brave men home.&uot;

The first of the local troops may arrive as early as next week. They have been deployed for nearly one year.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Ahoskie American Legion Post 102 said that organization would wait for the return of all local troops before announcing plans for an official welcome home. Details on that event will be published as soon as they are made available.