The light poles along the main thoroughfare in Jonesville, La., offer a glimpse into the support this community is offering to National Guard troops stationed in Iraq.

Photos of members of the 1087th

Transportation Support Co., framed in yellow, hang on each pole, with an American flag above and a yellow ribbon below.

Organized by the 1087th’s family support group, the display is a way for Jonesville residents to show their support, Mayor Mike Wilson said.

&uot;This community’s behind these troops all the way,&uot; he said.

Wilson emphasized that the support group organized the effort, raising funds for the decorations, while the town helped with posting the photos on the light poles.

The town has also posted a sign at the gazebo listing the names of the local members of the 1087th.

One of the members of the group, Floyd G. Knighten, 55, of Olla, La., died Saturday in a non-combat incident. U.S. officials said he died of heat stroke. Temperatures in Iraq have reached 120 degrees in the last week.

Jonesville’s display has inspired members of a family support group for the 1086th Transportation Support Co. of Vidalia, La., to work on their own display.

&uot;It’s really impressive,&uot; support group member Kathleen Stevens said of the Jonesville decorations. &uot;A lot of us are thinking, wow, we could do that.&uot;

The Vidalia Board of Aldermen on Tuesday granted the support group permission to decorate the utility poles.

The next step will be for the support group to meet next week to determine what members want to do, Stevens said.

Already, the support group is selling patriotic signs to raise money not only for care packages for the 1086th but for a welcome home celebration when they get back.

Yard signs are $10 each and are available at the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office. While families don’t know when their loved ones are coming back home, focusing on that homecoming is helping, Stevens said.

&uot;It’s really helpful for the families,&uot; she said. &uot;All of these families are having a hard time, and this gives them something positive to think about.&uot;