Troops Receive Welcome Home Parade [A well done salute]

WBAY TV ^ | July 17, 2004 | Jason Allen

[ex-snook]

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Ashwaubenon
Troops Receive Welcome Home Parade
 

By Jason Allen

A parade and ceremony in Ashwaubenon welcomed home soldiers of the 432nd and others who were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. It was the community's way of saying "thank you."

It's the only way to start a military parade -- the sound of the 451st Army Reserve Band led the way through streets lined with red, white and blue.

Veterans of past wars offered up salutes to the returning soldiers and to those soldiers who never made it home.

Then the newest veterans of all made another march together, this one past cheering crowds and a constant chorus of gratitude.

"It's pretty emotional," Marty Antone, 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion, said. "You see the little kids with the flags, and the family saying 'thank you,' and you just want to thank them for their support."

The signs of support were everywhere Sunday, and came from all ages. These soldiers say it's always welcome.

"People say you kind of get sick of hearing the praise, but it feels good to know that you're loved and people appreciate what you've done," 432nd Sgt. Reuben Kaye said.

And for those in this group with a mission still ahead of them, the parade provided a boost in pride before they go to work.

"People have told me if you need anything -- school supplies, toys for the kids -- just call us, write us, and they'll get it for us," said PFC Melanie Heida.

More offers of help from a community saluting the sacrifice of soldiers they will never forget.

Some soldiers said they really enjoyed having this homecoming celebration a couple months after they got home. It gave them a chance to see all the people they became so close with while in Iraq.

A ceremony followed the parade at the Brown County veterans memorial outside the old arena. There, soldiers and citizens listened to patriotic songs and paid tribute to the five branches of the military and servicemembers' family and employers. A bell rang and a dove was released for each Wisconsin soldier who died in Iraq.

"We must not forget those that cannot be with us today, those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of this nation and for the freedoms that we enjoy," U.S. Undersecretary of Defense Dan Denning said.

Community leaders and politicians used the event to publicly praise the civil affairs battalion. They say the parade and ceremony should go a long way in letting the soldiers know how much they're appreciated.

U.S. Representative Mark Green (R-Green Bay) said it "reminds them that we know what they've done, we're aware of it, we stand with them. I mean, the signs we saw coming down the parade route -- 'Thanks for protecting us,' 'We stand with you,' 'God bless you' -- that really expresses the sentiment of this community."

"They have to know that we really care and that we did care while they were there and it's all about them. That's what today is all about," state Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) said.

After the pomp and circumstance, there were beers and laughs. Soldiers of the 432nd were catching up with members of the unit they haven't seen since getting home, and family and friends continued the well-deserved celebration.

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[ex-snook]

"Veterans of past wars offered up salutes to the returning soldiers and to those soldiers who never made it home. Then the newest veterans of all made another march together, this one past cheering crowds and a constant chorus of gratitude."

Thanks troops. Well done. Let me add my salute.

[Freesofar]

It feels good to have real heros to look up to.

thank You troops

[Minuteman23]

This should be happening all over the country. They got it right in Wisconsin!

[keysguy]

I hope the local t.v. carries this parade cause you sure wont see it on pmsnbc.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Welcome home troops ping!

[ex-snook]

If more places are doing this, they are not getting much publicity. The vets coming home should not be ignored.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

What real Americans think about our troops! PING

[Mudboy Slim]

Hats off to America's Best and Brightest, defending America by bringing the fight to the Enemy!!

Go Troops Go...MUD

[blackie]

We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ trolls, terrorists, democrats and the mainstream media are sad ~ very sad!

~~ Bush/Cheney 2004 ~~

[GVnana]

Very nice. I assume this community is near a military base?

[BykrBayb]

Yes, this is what's in the hearts of Americans. God bless our troops.

[deadhead]

Thank You for the ping, Tonkin. I have sent this on to family and friends. As I said to them, I wish there was a Welcome Home Parade in my area that I could attend.

Welcome Home & Thank You to our Troops

Colleen

[JDoutrider]

WELCOME HOME PATRIOTS & THANK YOU!

Your order of the day is to fast march down to register to vote and continue the battle to victory over the America haters!!!

[deadhead]

Thank You, ex-snook for posting this wonderful, heartwarming article.

[RottiBiz]

Welcome home, soldiers, and God Bless.

Wish we had stories like this every day.

Thanks for the ping, Tonk.

[Fawnn]

A Worthy Welcome Home to our Troops Bump!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[RottiBiz]

Thanks for posting this article -- a sincere tribute to our returning soldiers.

I just wish there were many more articles like this.

The troops need to know just how much most Americans appreciate their service and their sacrifice.

[snippy_about_it]

We read about this from time to time so the "real" America is welcoming home it's troops but I think the Media is being its usual left wing self and not covering it.

Thanks for the ping.

[LibKill]

I too salute them.

Well done!