TAUNTON DAILY GAZETTE by Lisa D. Connell By/Nov 2015— Welcome home, Sgt. First Class Mark Welch.

A trip home to the city on Thanksgiving Eve was made possible courtesy of the Military Friends Foundation. Welch serves in the Massachusetts National Guard’s 1060th Transportation Company based in Framingham. He also is an Iraq War veteran.

Welch is enjoying the chance to visit with family and friends before deploying overseas. Welch and 99 other area soldiers were treated to this opportunity.

The flight home comes courtesy of Massachusetts taxpayers who select on their annual state income tax returns the box known as 32E. That’s the number for the Military Family Relief Fund, which allows taxpayers to donate a portion of their state income tax returns in acknowledgement of servicemen and women’s sacrifices.

The foundation administers the fund that aids National Guard and Reserve members and the families of fallen soldiers.

In July, Welch received recognition from Gov. Charlie Baker for the aid he provided victims of the April 15, 2013, Boston Marathon bombing. Welch was at the race that day, participating in a related event.

For his quick-thinking actions, he received the U.S. Army’s Soldier’s Medal. The medal honors acts of heroism by a soldier in non-combat situations.