To find their way home, the National Guard will simply have to imitate Dorothy and follow the yellow-ribboned road.

That road, U.S. 52 from Wheelersburg to Ironton, will be paved with balloons and ribbons Friday as the community welcomes home the soldiers of the Ohio Army National Guard's 216th Engineer Battalion.

Family members, elected officials and university representatives came together Sunday to finalize details for the return that includes the 216th's Portsmouth-based Co. B and its subgroup Det. 1 from Ironton.

The city will be putting up its flags and banners at the city entrances. The Ironton Municipal Courts' community service workers will be putting up the balloons and ribbons along U.S. 52.

Shawnee State University plans to have a special ceremony at 2 p.m. Friday but Lawrence County's celebration will likely be March 6, first at Ohio University Southern and then at the VFW Post 8850.

"We wanted to give the soldiers some breathing room," said Katrina Keith, who represented the city at Sunday's meeting. "They wanted that breathing room to spend some time with their family so we honored their request."

Another planning meeting has been set for 2 p.m. Feb. 20 at OUS.

Dr. Kim Keffer, director of enrollment services at OUS, said last week that the university wanted to do its part.

"We know everyone in the community has been very supportive and are very excited about the Battalion coming home," she said before the first meeting. "This is a time for everyone to get together and share their plans so we can coordinate our efforts and celebrate their safe return."