AUBURN – Marine Lance Corporal Josh Gould was welcomed back by family and New Auburn American Legion Post 153 members after serving six months in Iraq.

The event took part at the post home from early afternoon until closing, with a band and dancing. The family and post served a buffet. A cake decorated in red, white and blue with “Welcome Home Josh” was served.

Singer Stevie Cee of Biddeford was on hand to welcome Gould. He sang patriotic, western and gospel songs. Cee will leave for four weeks in Australia in September.

Gould joined the Marines in 2000 and went overseas in January, returning in July. He will return to duty on Sept. 2 in Cherry Point, N.C. Gould is the son of Dorothy Picard of Lisbon. He graduated from Edward Little High School.

Gould presented Post Commander Emmett Stuart an American flag that flew over Iraq while he was there.

He also brought back a New Auburn Post 153 license plate, which he had signed by his buddies in Iraq. On the lower part it states U.S.M.C./Kuwait.

With it was a framed picture of the Hummer he and his buddies used while on duty. On the top of the framed picture was written “Operation Iraqi Freedom” and at the bottom, American Legion Post 153.