Three hundred soldiers of the Iowa Army National Guard will be welcomed home this holiday weekend with ceremonies in several towns. The soldiers were mobilized in September of 2003 and the First Squadron 113th Cavalry and Second Air Assault Brigade 34th Infantry Division served in Kosovo as part of “Joint Task Force Guardian.” The soldiers provided security for peacekeeping operations, helped with rebuilding projects including a school renovation and a water-purification plant, and augmented forces already on duty in the European nation. Homecoming ceremonies today are at 10 a.m. in Waterloo, at 11 a.m. at Camp Dodge north of Des Moines, and 2 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Sergeant Bluff. One more is scheduled for Labor Day, at 1 p.m. Monday at the high school in Boone.
