Chad Gibson is coming home, and his family wants to greet him with a warm welcome.

Gibson, 25, is returning to Chilton County after his second tour of duty with the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines.

A celebration of Gibson’s arrival has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday in downtown Clanton. As Gibson makes his way through town, event organizers hope to have the streets lined with people, groups, signs, banners and balloons.

Gibson’s family has planned a small get-together for Gibson’s grandmother’s house, but first Stephanie Gibson hopes local residents show her son how much they appreciate him serving his country in Afghanistan.

The welcome home is a great idea; in fact, we’d love to see Chilton County greet every soldier returning home this way, with smiles and waves.

Unfortunately, we often are too busy to show soldiers our appreciation. When a war has lasted as long as the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq have, our initial swell of patriotism sometimes fades.

But we must still remember there are men and women waking up every day in foreign countries, away from their families, because they are willing to serve.

Let’s start saying thanks.