FAIRHOPE, Alabama—After nearly a year’s deployment in Afghanistan, the 1165th Military Police Company based at Ft. Riel National Guard Armory will return to Fairhope in time for Christmas during a welcome home celebration and ceremony this Friday morning.

“We are asking folks to welcome the unit home by standing along the roadway on Veterans Drive (near U.S. Highway 98) and North Section Street to Fairhope Avenue, and then on Fairhope Avenue to Church Street,” said Sherry Sullivan, the city’s director of community affairs. “The unit will then take Church Street to the Fairhope Civic Center for the ceremony at 10 a.m.”

Friends, family and supporters of the unit are asked to assemble along the unit’s route between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., Staff Sgt. Tyrel Northrop said yesterday from Ft. Riel.

“I’m looking forward to their coming home,” Northrop said. “As far as I’m aware, there should be a good turnout Friday.”

The 170 soldiers of the Fairhope-based Alabama National Guard unit, comprised of volunteers from throughout South Alabama, were deployed to Afghanistan in January. An audience of 2,000 honored the troops and wished them well during a Jan. 3 ceremony at the civic center.

“These soldiers and their families have sacrificed an entire year out of their lives, and I am excited for them to be reunited once again,” said Joe Birindelli, the 2011 Mobile Bay Area Veteran of the Year and a founding member of the Citizens for Local Troop Support. “The fact that this will occur just before Christmas is very special and moving.”