More National Guard troops set to return today

A second group of California National Guard soldiers returning from a one-year tour in Afghanistan is scheduled to arrive today at the Petaluma Armory.

About 20 men from the 235th Engineer Company are due about 3 p.m. aboard a bus from the San Francisco Airport, said Debbie Skolnik, family assistance center coordinator for thr local company.

The first group of 36 soldiers, arriving Sunday at the armory, was greeted by family, friends and well-wishers, with about 100 people lining Vallejo Street as the buses rolled in.

Skolnik said the public support for the troops is appreciated. "The community is always welcome to do that," she said.

The 150-member company, including about 40 men from the North Bay, has served since January in Afghanistan, many of them assigned to the hazardous duty of clearing hidden bombs from the roads.

A third group of soldiers is expected to arrive next week, but no date has been set. "Our goal is to have them all home by Thanksgiving," Skolnik said.

— Guy Kovner, The Press Democrat