NY Giants will get NYC parade but Iraq vets denied that privilege.

[pinboy3niner]

4. The first big parade for Iraq War vets was held in St. Louis Jan. 28

U.S. troops get welcome home parade



Participants in a parade to honor Iraq War veterans make their way along a downtown street
Saturday in St. Louis. Thousands turned out to watch the first big welcome home parade in
the U.S. since the last troops left Iraq in December. Jeff Roberson, The Associated Press


Posted: 01/29/2012 01:00:00 AM MST

By Jim Salter
The Associated Press


ST. LOUIS — Looking around at the tens of thousands of people waving American flags and cheering, Army Maj. Rich Radford was moved that so many braved a cold January wind Saturday in St. Louis to honor people like him: Iraq war veterans.

The parade, the result of a simple conversation between two St. Louis friends a month ago, was the nation's first big welcome-home for veterans of the war since the last troops were withdrawn from Iraq in December.

"It's not necessarily overdue, it's just the right thing," said Radford, a 23-year Army veteran who walked in the parade alongside his 8-year-old daughter, Aimee, and 12-year-old son, Warren.

Radford was among about 600 veterans, many dressed in camouflage, who walked along downtown streets lined with rows of people clapping and holding signs with messages including "Welcome Home" and "Thanks to our Service Men and Women." Some of the war-tested troops wiped away tears as they acknowledged the support from a crowd that organizers estimated reached 100,000 people.

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http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_19844812