But amid the flags and the banners, a sour mood is creeping into this town of 30,000 in the southern state of Georgia, where soldiers' relatives are voicing displeasure over the recent announcement that some 10,000 troops of the 3rd ID will remain in Iraq indefinitely.

The soldiers themselves are none too happy over the decision, if letters they send home are to be believed.

Troops of the US army division -- famed for its World War II victories in France -- were among the first to head to the Gulf for the invasion of Iraq.

"These guys who fought the war from the start should be the first back," a private, among those back at headquarters said.

"People here really feel that those who fought the war should be brought back now, some people are even calling up (Defense Secretary) Donald Rumsfeld to tell him how they feel," he said.

Like several people interviewed just outside the huge Fort Stewart military base, the soldier, clad in desert fatigues, asked for his name not to be used.

At the entrance of a nearby supermarket, a memorial wall has been erected for the troops deployed in harm's way. Friends and relatives scribble messages, pin their wedding photographs and their prayers.

"Big Daddy TJay: I miss you and can't wait till you come home," reads one of the notes.

Inside, army wives shop in groups. Conversation inevitably turns to the delayed return of their husbands, a topic heard virtually everywhere in this town whose fate is tied with that of the base.

"The climate is very anxious ... verging on anger. Morale is getting low," a restaurant employee who identified herself only as Mrs C Henry, said.

A mother of a five-year-old daughter, Henry says the toughest part is not knowing when her husband will be back. "When you hear the word 'indefinite', you get desperate."

Patrick Donahue, the editor of Coastal Courier, the local paper, says soldiers' wives, particularly the younger ones are "very disappointed -- it almost borders on anger and resentment."

But, says Donahue, this has not affected the deep-seated patriotism of Hinesville or the views or relatives awaiting their soldier's return.

Residents and troops here don't seem particularly worried by the fact the US military has so far failed to unearth the weapons of mass destruction the White House cited as the main ground for ousting Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

"We were right to go into Iraq. They threatened us," said a reservist serving at Fort Stewart, who asked not to be named.

But he too believes the 3rd ID should be brought home. The soldier, in his 20s, believes the reason for the delay is "we didn't bomb enough."

"That's why we're losing soldiers every day," he said.

The continuing casualties, and the prolongation of the US presence are evidently affecting the morale of troops on the ground.

Frustration here is compounded by an e-mail said to have been sent by a soldier in Iraq and which is making the rounds among army wives.

"Our morale is not high or low, it is non-existent ... our troops and our equipment are worn out," the message says.

In Fort Stewart, Anita Blount, the wife of the division's commander, Major-General Buford Blount said she shared the pain and frustration of other army wives.

"I realize many of you are upset. I am too," she said in an open letter printed in the 3rd ID's daily, The Frontline.

"I heard the recent news about another delay in redeployment. I was angry," she said. "But there is a mission that must be accomplished."

Not all of the wives are angry. "My husband knew what he got into when he joined the army. I want him back, but he's got to do his job," one of them said.

She expressed concern the complaints voiced here would be heard in Baghdad. "And that would only encourage people there to conduct more attacks on our forces."

WAR.WIRE