Troops returning from overseas deployments will be welcomed back during a Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Council event on Saturday, Nov. 2 at the 5th Street Playground Park. MAC Director Craig Bender explained over the next few weeks more than 6,000 troops will be returning. “I just feel like as a community we owe it to them to give them a welcome home.”

Bender indicated that it will provide an opportunity to promote the new playground park. That would include the facilities that can serve children and adults at that location, in addition to welcoming the Soldiers. “We’re going to have free food for anybody with a military ID card, CG’s Mounted Color Guard will come out and do a presentation for us, some bounce houses, face painting and live music.”

Bender is hoping for attendance of 500 to 1,000 on Nov. 2.