Last year, Ross County American Legion Post 62 proudly joined other area veterans organizations in organizing a community welcome home celebration for the members of the Army Reserve's 1001st Quartermaster Co. from Iraq.

On Friday, February 11, 2005, Post 62 once again led area residents in displaying their flags and yellow ribbons on Main Street, Western Avenue and University Drive as the members of the Ohio National Guard's Company A, 216th Engineering Battalion returned home from Iraq.  

A packed house of families, friends and patriotic citizens filled the Ohio University-Chillicothe Shoemaker Center to salute and thank the troops.  

Big thanks go to other members of the Ross County Veterans Council (American Legion Post 757, AMVETS #4, VFW Post 108, Vietnam Veterans of America, DAV, Rolling Thunder, South Central Ohio Homeless Veterans Comm., Ross County Veterans Service Commission), the Post 62, Post 757 and VFW Post 108 Auxiliaries, Ross County Sheriff Ron Nichols and the Chillicothe Junior Civic League for helping to organize this homecoming event.

Thanks also to OU-C Dean Richard Bebee, Chillicothe Mayor Joe Sulzer, Congressman Bob Ney, the Ross County Veterans Honor Guard, VFW Post 108 Color Guard, the Chillicothe High School Pep Band and the Unioto Kindergarten Bell Choir for their outstanding contributions to the festivities.

Special thanks to Post 62's John Barnhart, 2nd Vice Commander of the 7th District, for his stirring rendition of the National Anthem.

(Our apologies that the following related Web links are no longer active; you may contact the Chillicothe Gazette for copies of these articles)

216th Return is Matter of Weeks - Chillicothe Gazette - 2/2/05

216th Return a week away - Chillicothe Gazette - 2/4/05

216th to Cruise Chillicothe Friday - Chillicothe Gazette - 2/10/05

216th Return ends Year-long Separations - Chillicothe Gazette - 2/12/05

Many Residents without Family, Friends turn out - Chillicothe Gazette - 2/12/05

Welcome home, soldiers of the 216th - Chillicothe Gazette - 2/12/05

216th Soldier comes home to Unemployment - Chillicothe Gazette - 2/17/05

Directions to the Shoemaker Center:

From ColumbusSouth on US-23
Exit RIGHT on US-23 Business (Bridge Street) to Chillicothe – continue south across river to Main Street
Turn right on Main Street (US-50) and proceed WEST through town
Turn LEFT onto University Dr 
Turn LEFT into Ohio University- Chillicothe Driveway (near top of hill)
 
From Waverly/Piketon/PortsmouthUS-23 (North)
Exit onto US-50 (Main Street) – turn LEFT onto Main Street and proceed WEST through town
Turn LEFT onto University Dr 
Turn LEFT into Ohio University- Chillicothe Driveway (near top of hill)
 
From Cincinnati / Dayton (via I-71 and Rte 35)US 35 (West)
Exit on Rte 104 (High Street) – turn RIGHT on High Street – stay in RIGHT (turn lane)
Turn RIGHT on Orange Street
Turn LEFT on Piatt Avenue
Turn RIGHT on Arch Street – road will curve uphill to left (becomes Woodbridge Ave)
Turn RIGHT onto US-50 (Western Avenue) – immediately get in LEFT lane
Turn LEFT onto University Dr 
Turn LEFT into Ohio University- Chillicothe Driveway (near top of hill)