Iraq vets thankful for appreciation at parade

Iraq vets thankful for appreciation at parade, reflect on their service, role of faith
SUBMITTED ON JANUARY 29, 2012

Joseph Kenny | jkenny@archstl.org

Waving flags and holding signs, people three deep along the parade route yelled "Welcome home," "You rock" and "We salute you" to troops who have returned from Iraq. They were taking part in the nation's first Welcome Home the Heroes from Iraq Day on Jan. 28 in Downtown St. Louis.

Catholics from Missouri and Illinois were among the thousands who gathered for the salute or took part in the parade. It started as an idea between two friends who quickly put together an official thank you to the men and women who served their country in Iraq. They began a Facebook group, Make January 28th Welcome Home the Heroes from Iraq Day, that ignited thousands of passionate citizens to donate time, money and services for the cause.

David Behle, a Reservist who served in Iraq, said, "It's nice to be recognized. It means a lot." A member of St. Joseph Parish in Cottleville, he wants to see a similar event when troops return from Afghanistan.

"It's hard to believe that private citizens came up with this idea in three weeks time and made it this huge — a turnout like this on a January day," said Richard Cullen, quartermaster of a VFW post in Illinois. He is a member of Holy Ghost Parish in Jerseyville, Ill.

Cullen said his parish pastor, a veteran of the Korean War, and the parish have supported the troops as have many other churches. He noted that while he was in the Army serving in Iraq and Germany he was lucky to have a Catholic chaplain serving his battalion. "It's nice to be able to go to a service and practice your faith," he said, noting that it was a time to put aside worries. Whether it was in a tent or under a tree, it was really nice to have that."
read more here


Welcome Home the Heroes Vigil and Parade - Images by St. Louis Review