Posted on 06/17/2003 10:30:37 PM PDT by JohnHuang2
Sydney Welcomes Home Troops From Iraq
.c The Associated Press
SYDNEY, Australia (AP) - Troops returning from Iraq paraded through Sydney Wednesday, welcomed home by thousands of cheering and whistling Australians standing four and five deep.
``We are here because we are proud Aussies and we are pleased with what they did overseas,'' said Peter Cullen, 58, who brought his 4-year-old grandson.
The crowds whistled as two Hercules aircraft flew over the parade. One television report estimated the crowd in the hundreds of thousands.
Australia was among the countries that sent troops for the U.S.-led coalition. Prime Minister John Howard sent 2,000 personnel to the Persian Gulf, a decision that ignited mass protests in Australia.
However once the campaign began public support quickly shifted behind Australia's soldiers. Australia lost no soldiers in the fighting.
Some 1,500 servicemen and women marched, while the Royal Australian Navy band led the parade.
The Green Berets of the Special Australian Forces marched solidly in line, the parachute emblems on their shoulder patches.
I've had a number of operational deployments in the past and this is the first one that has had such a welcome home,'' said Australian Army Maj. James Murray.
The parade included flyovers by Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 Hornets, P-3C Orions and Navy helicopters.
Our troops all deserve a parade. It's wonderful to hear that Australia gave their troops the welcome they deserved, in spite of the PC police on the left who would parade to protect porn before they'd honor our military.
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