The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 7016 installed officers for the 2012-13 year during a special ceremony Monday night, where they also welcomed home Abby Helton, who just returned from a deployment with the United States Air Force in Kurdistan.

Harry Smith, quartermaster for District 8 was on hand to aid in Monday’s installation of the following officers: Billy Gates, commander; Danny R. Nall, senior vice commander; Darrell Holsonback, junior vice commander; Lloyd Albritton, quartermaster; Glenn Wardrop, chaplain; Larry Houck, judge advocate; Alex Jones, surgeon; Abby Helton, adjutant; Michael Hanks, service officer; Noah McBride, officer of the day; Fritz Currie, trustee; C.J. Bell, trustee; Robert Davis, trustee.

VFW members also welcomed home a very special guest Monday night. Abby Helton, U.S. Air Force, recently returned home to Atmore after a deployment in Kurdistan and Post 7016 members honored her with a reception following the installation ceremony. Helton said she now has three years until her next deployment.

“It’s nice to be home,” Helton said. “I’m just going to be kind of taking it easy for a while.”

Also honored by Monday’s reception was Post 7016 member Raymond Norris who recently donated $5,000 to the post to go towards the note on the VFW building on Ashley Street.

“I’m happy to do what I can to help this post move up to a higher level,” Norris said.

The officers installed during Monday night’s ceremony will serve at their posts for one year.