Thousands Line Downtown Streets To Welcome Home Iraq War Veterans

[hue]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ktvi-welcome-home-iraq-veterans-parade-stlouis-012812,0,3131776.story

ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI - FOX2now.com)—

It started as an idea on Facebook. But a grassroots effort with hardly any funding made history Saturday. St. Louis pulled off America's first parade welcoming our military men and women home from Iraq.

“I woke up this morning and I was like, `It’s here! Today is here, it’s a wonderful day for St. Louis, a history making day,” said LaDonna Appelbaum. She is not a veteran. Her husband isn’t either. But together with Craig Schneider, these St. Louis friends did something no other city in America has done. They organized the “Welcome Home The Heroes From Iraq” parade.

The sun shined brightly, warming the crowd along Market Street. Thousands of people gathered there, exuding gratitude. The military men and women heard it and felt it.

[gateley]

1. Good for St. Louis! This is how it should be in every city across the country! nt

[atreides1]

6. You're right

But only when the job is done and they all come home...

[fascisthunter]

2. God do I feel bad for them

for being told lies in order to do what they had to do. Welcome back, and peace be with all of you! If I had my way, you would all never have to pay for medical bill again because you did what you did, believing you were sacrificing for the good of the US. For that, I love you men and women like none other.

[Wait Wut]

9. While you're correct in most cases...

...there are others that joined for different reasons. My son joined the Marines 8 years ago after seeing the treatment of Iraqi women and young girls. He joined to try to give the women of Iraq the freedom of education and freedom to live. Sadly, I think he's more disappointed than those that joined for the reason you gave. But, he has found other ways to help. He's donated regularly to help build schools and provide learning materials to the children of Iraq. I can't remember the name of the organization. If I remember, I'll ask him when I talk to him this week.

Oh, and he loves you, too.

And, I thank you for your support. I read some pretty harsh things on this site and your sentiment brought tears to my eyes.

[Jack Rabbit]

3. Damn right they should get a parade

While those who sent them to Iraq should have to parade (in frog march step) in front of a federal courthouse, or, barring that, an international tribunal.

[JDPriestly]

4. K&R

[customerserviceguy]

5. Get it in while you can

I expect Iraq to go to hell in a handbasket sometime in the next year. Hopefully, it will happen after the election.

[FromTheRight]

7. Nice!

Thanks for the link hue.
They served honorably and selflessly. Very nice of St. Louis to show their gratitude for the service members.


(Hat tip)

[Tripod]

8. Great!

One of my favorite memories. Thank you.

[tooeyeten]

10. Kudos to the people of St. Louis

and the surrounding communities, and to the politicians who didn't stifle the will of the people.

Let's support the organizers continued mission.

http://www.missioncontinues.org/welcomehomechallenge

[JNelson6563]

11. Welcome home brave ones!

And nice going St. Louis!

Julie

[bemildred]

12. Awesome.

[tooeyeten]

13. Canyon of heroes?

Parade for the Giants in NYC tomorrow; honoring the military, nope.