AUBURN — Despite logging half a million miles on Iraq’s roads, every member of Auburn’s 619th Transportation Company came home safe.

It’s an accomplishment worth celebrating, said Capt. Ben Perry, who command’s the Army Reserve unit.

On Sunday, more than four months after the unit’s 172 soldiers returned, the Army wants to formally recognize the accomplishment.

“It’s remarkable what they did,” said Perry, who took command of the unit after its return.

The celebration is meant as a counterpoint to the quick ceremony held June 21 when they got home.

“That’s the emotional event,” Perry said. “To stop for speeches when all they want to do is hug their kids is kind of silly.”

The ceremony is planned for 11 a.m. in the Edward Little High School gym. Soldiers will be presented with commemorative flags and other mementos.

Gov. John Baldacci and Col. Ernest Erlandson, the commander of the 655th Regional Support Group, will be among the speakers.

All will praise the soldiers’ work.

In general, the transportation company ran tractor-trailer-sized flatbed trucks across Iraq from their base in Talil.

They hauled everything from repair parts and construction materials to medical supplies, water and ammunition. One platoon also hauled bigger loads, running tanks and trucks on their larger truck beds.

While in Iraq, the company completed 178 convoys without a single major accident.

 “The odds were against them,” Perry said.

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