The flag that flew in Iraq carries the signatures of many of the local National Guard troops who served there. It was dedicated this week by the 1165th Military Police Co. to American Legion Post 199, along with a certificate of appreciation.

“We wanted to leave this flag with the Legion for all their service and support they’ve given us,” said Sgt. Scott Hulsey, 23, during a short ceremony Wednesday outside Fort Riel National Guard Armory in Fairhope.

The local Legion post was founded in 1963, and its members are active in a variety of troop support and community activities.

The flag was handed to Jim Jeffries, 66, commander of the Legion post, who was accompanied by John Henderson, 70, post adjutant.

Many of the Guard troops signed the Alabama state flag that flew above the unit’s camp where they were stationed in Iraq.

“It’s a real honor to receive this flag and certificate of appreciation,” said Jeffries. “The community is fortunate to have (the 1165th) here. Any time they are called for any kind of help, they are always there and always ready to serve.”

The 1165th was deployed to Iraq in 2003 and received three citations for its service that first year of the war, including the Presidential Unit Citation, the highest award granted to military units that have performed an extremely meritorious or heroic act. The unit also received a Valorous Unit Award and a Meritorious Unit Commendation.

The unit is scheduled for deployment to Afghanistan in January or February, Hulsey said.

“I can’t wait,” he said, adding the unit has been training since learning of the possibility of their deployment last summer. The unit was expected to serve in Iraq by December 2009, but shortly after Christmas was notified it had been off-ramped and their deployment delayed. They were then notified in April of their new deployment to Afghanistan.

Although the unit has more than 170 troops, 32 soldiers will not be deployed to Afghanistan because they recently completed a tour in Iraq with a Guard unit from Prattville. A fish fry luncheon is scheduled this weekend for those troops who returned home in June, and their families, and is sponsored by the Citizens for Local Troop Support.

“It’s their welcome home,” said Joe Birindelli, co-chairman of the local troop support group. “We wanted to do something to show our appreciation.”

Another event is scheduled in October to honor the unit, Birindelli said.

“We’re putting on a dance as a going away for the 1165th,” he said. “It’s also a way for the community to show support and raise some money for troop support and the Veterans Memorial.”

The Citizens for Local Troop Support was formed in 2003 to help families of the troops with a variety of financial and other needs, he said.

“We also sent packages to soldiers.”

The Veterans Memorial statue is nearing completion but an additional $50,000 is needed, he said.

More than $100,000 has been raised to have the clay statues and molds made. The remaining funds will be used to have bronze poured into the mold for the statue that will be located in a city park overlooking Mobile Bay.

“Proceeds from the dance will be split between troop support and the memorial,” he said.

Another event to support the memorial will occur on several weekends in September and October when volunteers will be at the Municipal Pier soliciting donations with helmets, similar to boots used to receive donations by volunteer fire departments.

On a wall at the National Guard Armory is a display of the names of all the troops that were deployed to Iraq in 2003. In the center is a picture of Christopher “Big T” Taylor, who died during his service there.

“Thank you for your service,” Henderson told Hulsey, as they looked at the wall together this week.

For information about upcoming events in honor of the 1165th, contact Birindelli at 928-3292. Tickets for the Oct. 16 dance at the Fairhope Civic Center are $40, and sponsorships are encouraged. Donations for both Citizens for Local Troop Support and the Veterans Memorial can be mailed to Fairhope Veterans Memorial at P.O. Box 653, Fairhope AL 36533. Add a note to direct the funds to the troop support committee.