Flags are flying and yellow ribbons are being hung in Brundidge in anticipation of the homecoming of the 900th Maintenance Company from a year’s service in Afghanistan.

Cindy Sneed, chair of the company’s family readiness group, said that she has not received notification of the 900th Maintenance Company’s arrival date but plans are under way by the City of Brundidge, the Brundidge Business Association and several service organizations for a festive “welcome home” when the 900th returns.

“For security reasons, the arrival information for the 900th Maintenance Company has not been made available to us at this time,” Sneed said.

The deployment ceremony for the 900th Maintenance Company/Brundidge was at Cattleman Park Aug. 10, 2010 so family members are expecting their loved ones to return around that time.

Dixie Shehane, Brundidge Business Association (BBA) president, said Brundidge wants to welcome the 900th home with open arms.

“It’s such a blessing to have them home and we want them to know how much we appreciate their service,” Shehane said. “The 900th has served with honor and pride and we will welcome them home with pride and with many tears of joy.”

Shehane said the BBA is working with Sneed in making plans for the homecoming.

“What the BBA is doing is encouraging our businesses to make the town look festive when the 900th arrives,” she said. “The plan is for the caravan to veer off Highway 231 and come through the downtown area. We want to have yellow ribbons and flags in place to welcome them.”

Several Brundidge merchants have special homecoming flags at special prices for the homecoming celebration.

The Brundidge Lions Club will place American flags throughout the downtown area as the club does on all patriotic holidays and occasions.

“As soon as we hear from Cindy as to when the 900th will be coming home, the Pike County Chamber of Commerce will get the word to its members so they can join us for the homecoming festivities and ceremony,” Shehane said.

The homecoming ceremony will be at Bulldog Stadium and open to the public.

“We hope that everyone will come out and welcome the 900th home,” Shehane said. “The welcome home ceremony will be brief so the soldiers can be with their families but it will be a great occasion.”