Thousands turn out for Iowa event honoring vets

Thousands turn out for Iowa event honoring vets
The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Jul 1, 2012
DES MOINES, Iowa — Several thousand people lined the streets of downtown Des Moines on Saturday for a parade honoring veterans and current members of the armed services.

Gov. Terry Branstad’s office organized the parade, which began at the state Capitol with a flyover of F-16 fighter jets. Branstad, who served in the Army from 1969 to 1971, also marched in the parade, wearing his old uniform.

Daryl Johnson, of Mason City, carried a POW/MIA flag as part of the parade’s color guard, the Des Moines Register reported. The 65-year-old Johnson, who served in the U.S. Army from May 1968 to 1971 and is a Vietnam veteran, said it was an honor to participate.

“It helps us recognize the extra pain and suffering that those individuals and their families go through,” Johnson said of the flag honoring prisoners of war and those missing in action.

The parade served another important function, Johnson said.

“As a Vietnam veteran, I certainly want to welcome back veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan,” he said.
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