UPDATED: Giant 'welcome home celebration' planned Jan. 31 in Indy for local Guardsmen; Linton native to sing National Anthem

BACK HOME AGAIN IN INDIANA: Linton native Holly (Dunn) Lynn will sing the National Anthem at the welcome home celebration for the National Guard soldiers. It will take place Jan. 31 in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Greene County Daily World/Nick Schneider) [Order this photo]

This "Welcome Home Heroes Celebration" will feature soldiers and Company A , 1-151st Combat Team -- based in Linton -- that deployed overseas in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

Among the program guests will be Linton native Holly (Dunn) Lynn, who currently is progressing her singing career in the Nashville, Tenn., area.

The schedule for the day's events will be:

* 10:30 a.m. -- Doors open

* Noon -- Parade of Troops

* 12:45 p.m. -- Ceremony Begins

1) Introduction of Official Party

2) Posting of the Colors -- National Anthem by Holly Lynn

3) Moment of Silence for our fallen with recognition of families

4) Tribute to wounded warriors

5) Rapid Fire with Capt. Lisa Kopczynski performs "Nighthawk"

* 1:30 p.m. -- Concert (Special performer to be announced)

* 2 p.m. -- End of Celebration

Company A Commander Lt. Andrew Wood told the Greene County Daily World on Thursday afternoon that he is looking forward to the big celebration.

"I think this will be meaningful for the families to get together and be a part of something special," he said.

While deployed in Iraq for about nine months, the Avengers from armories in Linton and Vincennes, completed a total of 210 combat logistics patrols transporting more than 7,800 foreign national loads and 3,800 contractor and U.S. military loads across Iraq.

Wood said he is adjusting back to life with his family back in his hometown of Coal City.

He also appreciates the support of the entire Greene County community to his guard unit during their mobilization and combat deployment which spanned from Dec. 10, 2007 to Dec. 2, 2008 when the soldiers were released following debriefing activities at Camp Atterbury.

The event will also be special for the Greene County area guardsmen because of the National Anthem performance by Holly Lynn.

Lynn carries a deep sense of patriotism for both our country and our troops, and often conveys this through the singing of the National Anthem.

The 1999 Linton-Stockton High School graduate was invited to sing at the event by Lt. Col. Deidra Thombelson, assigned as Public Information Officer for the National Guard headquarters in Indianapolis.

Speaking to the Greene County Daily World in a telephone interview from Nashville on Thursday, Lynn said she is looking forward to the event.

"I am very excited about it," she said. "Performing the National Anthem is one of my fortes. Being patriotic is very near and dear to my heart. My grandfather, who is deceased, was a World War II veteran and my father is a Vietnam veteran--so patriotism is a part of my family. It has been passed along to me to always consider the importance of the National Guard and what they do for us and our country. For me, it's huge to get to come back to my home state and in a small way my performance of our National Anthem is a way to give tribute to our troops and to those who have served us."

Recently, she sang the National Anthem prior to an Indiana Pacers game at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Dec. 28.

After a National Anthem performance at Belmont University in Nashville last year, Lynn was approached by country artist Vince Gill -- who strongly commended her traditional, accapella performance of the anthem.

Lynn's rendition of the National Anthem has also earned her invitations to perform for the Memphis Grizzlies (NBA), and for Indianapolis 500 Qualification races (IRL). She has earned repeat invitations with Belmont University athletics, the Nashville Sounds (PCL, AAA--Milwaukee Brewers), and the Indianapolis Indians (AAA-Pittsburgh Pirates).

In November 2006, Lynn sang for 2,000 troops of the 101st Airborne in a welcome home ceremony in Brentwood, Tenn.

Lynn also gives her time and talent to her hometown of Linton by opening the Freedom Festival Fourth of July parade every summer during the past 10 years for nearly 40,000 people.

Most recently, Lynn has become a regular guest performer at the Nashville Cowboy Church -- located in the historic Texas Troubadour Theatre. This service is broadcast into over 110 countries, reaching millions through WSM Radio, XM Satellite Radio, and WWCR (World Wide Country Radio).

Also, in December she released her second CD which contains 16 gospel songs that were recorded live at the Nashville Cowboy Church.

"It has a mixture of Southern gospel and hymn arrangements, Christmas music and patriotic songs," she said.

The CD is $15 and can be purchased through Lynn's Web site at www.hollylynnmusic.com .

Her first CD was released in May 2006.