Lawrence welcomes home 100 soldiers

Parade, ceremony set for Wednesday, Feb. 9.

By: Lea Kahn
   A special parade and ceremony to honor returning New Jersey Army National Guard soldiers — including two Lawrence residents — has been set for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9 on Eggerts Crossing Road, Mayor Pam Mount said.
   The soldiers — about 100 or so — are returning from active duty in Iraq, Mayor Mount said. They belong to the 3rd Battalion of the 112th Field Artillery, headquartered at the armory on Eggerts Crossing Road.
   The parade and ceremony marking the troops return are open to the public.
   "We hope to make it festive. They will line up on Eggerts Crossing Road and march into the armory for a small ceremony," Mayor Mount said, adding that in addition to the two Lawrence residents, the returning veterans include 11 Trenton residents.
   The names of the returning soldiers are not available for privacy reasons, Mayor Mount said.
   Since the soldiers are going to march past the Lawrence Intermediate School on Eggerts Crossing Road, Mayor Mount said she has invited the students to line the sidewalk outside the school to welcome home the troops. Some students have family members who have been called to active duty, she said.
   Mayor Mount said she invited many dignitaries to take part, including Acting Gov. Richard Codey, Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes and the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders, including Freeholder Pat Colavita — a Lawrence resident who is a former mayor and Township Council member.