1133rd Supporters Prepare for Big Welcome Home

MASON CITY, IA---The Mason City based 1133rd is on the last part of its mission.

Their current destination is home on Wednesday morning.

Last fall they left Camp Dodge in Johnston and went on to Fort Bliss, Texas for training before their winter deployment overseas to Iraq.

Now a welcome home is being readied.

"There are banners, our chairs, showing our soldiers we support them," said Jason Anderson who is the brother of a member of the 1133rd.

Family readiness group coordinator Joyce Anderson said it's also a chance to be a part of something that's a long time coming.

'It's the first time she's going to be able to hold us both in her arms," said Anderson's son.

He is also a soldier and is home on leave.

While he and his brother's busy paths just never seem to cross.

They're finally going to on a late October afternoon.

"We saw each other in Iraq in January of 2009. but since then, it's been since 2005," said Anderson.

On Tuesday, family members worked off their nervous energy by turning an old fairground building into a place they'll never forget.

The public welcome home ceremony is set for Wednesday morning at 11:30 a.m. at the North Iowa Fairgrounds.

You can catch it live on our My 3.2 channel.

The homecoming is also being streamed live online at KIMT.com.

KIMT News 3 is planning complete coverage throughout Wednesday's newscasts .