NATCHEZ &8212; A group of spouses and other supporters of the 155th Infantry are asking the public to help make a homecoming celebration happen for the troops.

While some members of the Mississippi Army National Guard unit&8217;s local family support group got word a few weeks ago the soldiers could be back next month, other dates have since been bandied around and no one&8217;s now sure when the troops could step on Miss-Lou soil again.

&8220;And anyway, they couldn&8217;t really say because of security purposes,&8221; said Glenda Grayson of Fayette, an organizer of the Family Readiness Group and wife of a 155th soldier.

Still, that group wants to make plans for a homecoming celebration &8212; tentatively, a banquet in January &8212; for after the unit does come home.

&8220;You wouldn&8217;t want to set it for right when they come home because all they&8217;ll want to do is go home and spend some time with their families,&8221; Grayson said.

Toward that end, the group is asking those who want to donate money to help fund the celebration to make those donations to the Family Readiness Group fund at any branch of Britton & Koontz First National Bank.

In addition, Grayson is encouraging anyone who wants to volunteer with planning or setting up the celebration to attend the group&8217;s monthly meetings, held at noon every second Saturday at the National Guard Armory on Liberty Road.

Later this month, Grayson plans to present a proposed budget for the event to Adams County supervisors and ask for their support for the event. On the City of Natchez side, Mayor Phillip West has written a letter of support for the event to let those the group asks for donations &8220;know that we&8217;re legitimate to give their money to,&8221; Grayson said.

Meanwhile, those with family in the 155th &8212; which has more than 40 soldiers from the Miss-Lou &8212; wait for their loved ones to come home. And the feeling is mutual, said Grayson, who talked to her husband Sunday. &8220;They&8217;re just a little anxious,&8221; Grayson said of the soldiers. &8220;They&8217;re ready to come home.&8221;