Plans are in the process to promote a parade in honor of the troops of Alpha Battery, the Springfield-based Georgia Army National Guard unit that is deploying to Afghanistan.

The parade will be held March 3 and will start in Springfield at 10 a.m. It will proceed down Highway 21 through Rincon and to the Effingham-Chatham county line.

“We have some 94 members of this group who are going off to protect our freedom and that of the world. We are concerned that they must go, but also proud that we have citizens among us who are willing to carry the banner of freedom high where ever needed in this world of ours,” said Ruth Lee, spokesperson for the planning group.

“Citizens are encouraged to plan to take their place along the parade route with the flags and their banners to show our pride in our troops and demonstrate that our prayers go with them,” Lee said.

Additional details will be released later in the week. A supply of small flags has been secured for use at this time. Anyone interested in obtaining some should call the Chamber of Commerce at 754-3301. The cost is $25 for 100 flags.