They’re calling it Operation: Welcome Home.

Families of a local National Guard unit now in Iraq have begun selling 2-by 4-foot banners to greet the soldiers when they return, scheduled for sometime in March. And they’re going fast. In just four days, 101 have sold. Buyers included a person in New York, who wanted to be able to hang the banner when the unit – the 133rd Engineer Battalion – arrives at Fort Drum, N.Y., its first stateside stop before coming home to Maine.

“My goal was to sell 200,” said Tammy Begin-LeBlanc of Lewiston.

The banners will be red with gold lettering and will read: “Welcome home 133rd Engineer battalion.” On one side, they will also have a yellow ribbon with the words, “Thank you, troops.”

The unit, currently in the Iraqi city of Mosul, has endured sacrifices.

In April, one member was killed when his convoy was attacked. In December, two more were killed when their dining tent was struck by a suicide bomber.

However, the banners are meant for all of the troops, said Begin-LeBlanc, who is working with other family members of the battalion’s Company C in the fund-raiser. Her husband, Staff Sgt. Andre LeBlanc, is a member of the Lewiston- and Norway-based company.

Each of the banners costs $29. The proceeds will go to welcome home Company C.

To order, write “Operation Welcome Home, PO Box 126, Greene, ME 04236.” Checks or money orders can be made payable to “Operation Welcome Home.”

– Daniel Hartill
Remember Maple Leafs

Lewiston had good hockey teams long before the Maineiacs showed up, and Paul Labrecque doesn’t want people to forget that.

Lewiston’s city treasurer is gathering pictures, programs, equipment and jerseys from some of the city’s notable hockey teams for display in the Colisee.

So far, he’s gathered memorabilia from the Maine Nordiques, the world champion Bates Fabric team from 1951 and the Cyclones and Maple Leafs from the 1930s and 1940s.

He also has items from teams fielded by St. Dom’s, Lewiston High School and Edward Little.

“As long as they played in some venue here, I want them,” he said. He’s looking for memorabilia from teams that played at the old Central Maine Civic Center, the St. Dom’s arena, the Bartlett Street Ice Box or the rink on the Pierce Street gully.

Any pictures he receives will be scanned and returned to the owner. Memorabilia will be borrowed and eventually returned to the owners.

– Scott Taylor

Rivals join together

Lewiston and Edward Little high school students have been notorious sports rivals for decades. But for the next week, cooperation – not competition – will rule their halls.

The two schools will join together to raise money for victims of the Indonesia tsunami.

Between Jan. 31 and Feb. 4, students at each school will collect donations, lead bottle drives and run fund-raisers. On Feb. 9, the two schools will present a joint check to the American Red Cross during a celebration at the YMCA in Auburn.

Edward Little Principal James Miller said the two schools hope to raise at least $1,000 each.

– Lindsay Tice