Next weekend, everyone in town should help welcome troops back home.

 Our own Bravo Company, 131 strong, will be honored over two days by grateful Newton County residents on June 5 and 6.

 Bravo Company spent the past year in Afghanistan training the members of the Afghan national security forces.

 The troops and their families will be honored at a private lunch at the armory on June 5. Medals will be issued at the luncheon and our own American Legion post members will feed the troops and their families.

 On Sunday, June 6, the Church of Good Shepherd Episcopal will be feeding the troops. If you would like to volunteer your time or donate food, contact Al Fernery at (404) 509-3183.

 After lunch the troops will march from the armory up to the Covington square. A special welcome home event in front of the Newton County Historic Courthouse will follow.

 It would be great to have folks lined up on the troops’ entire route to the square.

 This is our opportunity to say thank you to the men and women who help make our community and thousands of other communities across America, safe and peaceful places to live.

 So bring your children and your flags and cheer for our guys and gals next weekend. You also might want to bring tissues as we are almost positive that both tears of happiness and joy will be flowing.