NATCHEZ &045; It’ll be at least 10 months before the members of the 155th Infantry Brigade get to come home for good, and their families need all the community support they can get.

That visible support will come Saturday night when the family support group holds a vigil on the bluff for the soldiers.

The small group of family members is hoping for a large showing from community members in attempts to raise money for a highly anticipated homecoming party.

A local minister will be on hand to say a prayer and participants will carry candles, but the group will also raffle off a DVD player and two original watercolor paintings done by 155th family member Rhonda Rich. Raffle tickets are $2 and you don’t have to be present to win.

Though the money will go to the soldiers’ homecoming, Rich said the vigil will be more for the families.

&uot;It would really mean a lot to us as family,&uot; Rich said. &uot;We aren’t actively serving overseas but because our husbands are gone we are making a major sacrifice.

&uot;Just to have people show up that might not have a direct link would mean so much.&uot;

Rich, of Lawrence County, is the wife of Spc. Roger Rich, who is a part of the Natchez 155th group. Rich said the group is also looking for donations of any kind to cover homecoming expenses and any family needs that may come up while the soldiers are away.

Though some members of the unit are returning in the next few months for temporary leave, it will be March before the 155th comes home, and their tour could be extended.

The vigil starts at 8 p.m. Saturday at the bluff gazebo. Relatives of the 155th should arrive at 7 p.m.

The family support group also sends out a newsletter to those with loved ones at war. To receive the newsletter or donate to the group, call Rich at 601-587-8399 or e-mail rogerrich @bellsouth.net.