Come back to the planet of your birth, Rob. There was plenty of "involvement" going on beforee the start of the war in Iraq. Plenty.

Why is it always about the money?

Not too likely Rob, this President ended the old Cold War policies and slash & burn warfare

At least it's a better welcome home than the veterans of Vietnam got!

...and Mickey, I thank my big brother, Vietnam helicopter pilot now retired Army Colonel, on a regular basis! Along with each and every vet I see no matter where or when.

People in the crowd waved American flags and held signs reading, "Welcome Home" and "God Bless Our Troops." Fire trucks with aerial ladders hoisted three huge American flags along the route.

It was long overdue! Thanks St. Louis..........

Nothing like a parade to deny the total and outright immoral, unethical and illegal invasion, occupation and destruction of a country that had NO TIES to 9/11

As a veteran of the war, you should know that the soldiers are FOLLOWING ORDERS......

The last time I looked, the people that SENT THEM to Iraq: BUSH AND CHENEY...have not say a THANK YOU in public yet....

PLEASE RE-DIRECT your anger to the CORRECT PEOPLE, not the soldiers.............The right people are the Republicans, that now want to send you and the others to Iran, to do the same BS......

If my memory serves me correct, it was PRESIDENT OBAMA who ended the war last month.

@citizen

As a Vietnam, who was spit upon when we came back, I make it a point to thank every soldier in uniform that I see, for their sacrifice on the alter of freedom and American spirit. I, also , do not believe we ever should have gone to Iraq. That does not change the fact that our military serves with honor, and follows the orders passed down to him/her from the SCOTUS. They honor the oath they took when they joined, just as we did back in that earlier, unjust "police action".

Our vets deserve the best we have to offer. Period. The problem is that the rest of the World looks on to us celebrating their home coming and erroneously assume that all Americans supported these illegal and lied to wars. washignton is getting a free propaganda ride on our vet's ticker-tape parade. It seems that once again they get to ride on the backs of our vets. Unless to defend the homeland from a direct invasion, should a politician vote yes for war, then it must be a requirement that they go and serve in that war and, if to old, they must send at least one of their kids. Then we'll see how quickly this b@llsh!t war for economic entitlements will end.

@ Rob....most Americans DON'T care, unless you count having a "support the troops" magnet or bumper sticker as caring! Less than 1% of our population was involved. Our military is all volunteer (as I was). Therefore, UNLIKE the Vietnam War with the dreaded draft, most people could look the other way and go about their day without fear of losing a loved one in this debacle called Iraq. If we had had a draft, you can bet your sweet buns THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO WAR IN IRAQ! But, since there was no draft, most people had the luxury of being observers on the sidelines. Most people are just not naturally going to have that much care as long as they are not forced into having skin in the game like WW2, Korea and Vietnam. Those who orchestrated this war (Cheney, Rumsfeild, etc) learned from their days under Richard Nixon NOT to repeat the "mistake" of a military draft and a true "free news press," both of which they saw as being detrimental to the Vietnam cause.

they did their duty.

god bless them all.

@ Singbiker. I'm sorry, as a VOLUNTEER (unlike many who were drafted or joined because they would be drafted anyways in the Vietnam waste), soldiers today CHOSE to either participate or not participate in the war based on lies. It is a free choice to join into the lie and "follow orders." That's my point. I freely chose to serve my country as many (most) of my brothers and sisters did. I freely chose to "follow orders" even though my heart and conscience KNEW the orders were/are based on outright lies and deceptions of our highest officials, including our Commander-in-Chiefs! No one deserves to be spit on! On the other hand, what should be the correct response to those who willingly participate in a war of lies? I don't think it is reasonable or rational to separate those who give orders (again, based on lies) to those who follow them. After all, to state the obvious, without those who are willing to follow the orders of liars and do their fighting, there would be no war.

citizen needs to quit whining.

@citizen

Of course Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11. You conspiracy theorists need to stop acting like you're unleashing the unknown truth onto unsuspecting docile sheep. That Iraq had no real involvement in 9/11 is a widely accepted fact. The fact that Iraq had no WMD's is also a widely accepted fact. The Defense department admitted "these are not the WMDs this country and the rest of the world believed Iraq had, and not the WMDs for which this country went to war". Of course the war isn't over and of course the Iraqis aren't happy with the Americans in the slightest.

The parade is over the safe return of the troops, not over the fact that Iraq had no connection to 9/11.

According to the 5PM news there were over 100.000 people at this parade and 20,000 people participated in it.

Way to go St. Louis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are proud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rob, don't blame Americans for being hoodwinked. The intelligence that we were told was accurate was jinned up. I don't blame victims of fraud and I don't blame Americans for believing the Bush Administration when they were told that Iraq presented a clear threat to the USA.

Lets all introduce legislation that makes going to WAR if not attacked,a crime against the People. The penalty of course, should be DEATH. The President will forfeit his LIFE for starting a war. I bet diplomacy will be used more efficiently. Halburton stocks will tumble.Patriot missle orders will increase= jobs.

Those who orchestrated this war (Cheney, Rumsfeild, etc) learned from their days under Richard Nixon NOT to repeat the "mistake" of a military draft and a true "free news press," both of which they saw as being detrimental to the Vietnam cause.

You are correct there. If we go to war with Iran, we should draft, so people like all those that sound really "patriotic" here on these vines and post pro-war and pro-Iran intervention BS, should feel what it is to go to war, or to send your loved ones.

Most of the money allocated for the military does not go to the soldiers, goes to pay CONTRACTORS that do the work of a soldier, just not that good and for 10 times more money.

@ xoa.cake.... their is nothing "conspiracy" about my feelings and claim. I spent 10 years as a volunteer in the military. The last 4 were during war time. To date, there has been no official investigation into the INTENTIONAL misuse and manipulation of "intel the world knew" by the last administration and the silent acceptance of the present one. The evidence damning this war is out there. It started with my own experience as fellow soldiers and I started questioning the basis of the war in the first 3 months when it was obvious we were finding virtually NOTHING. I find it incredulous that people like you are willing to accept the debacle and re-frame it as a "mistake." That is laughable. The fact is this: Our highest elected officials KNEW exactly what Hussein had and didn't have. Hell, we knew it after the FIRST Gulf War when we virtually destroyed his military effectiveness. Our WMD investigators (and NATO's own team) on the ground PLEADED to finish their job right up to the night of the invasion. Remember that? The reason they pleaded was because they had found NOTHING. Now you can deny, re-frame, call me names or label me all you want....it does not change the deceptions and lies that led up to the invasion and the civil war that occurred in the aftermath.

@ IRESPOND... you are absolutely 100% correct. Have a DRAFT so EVERYONE can truly be behind and support wars started by our elected officials. That would solve all the bickering and armchair playing!

Wow, Some one FINALLY does something really great to honor our beloved troops, and you people use it as a reason to debate your stupid political views! How about, "Good job!", or "Welcome home!". I bet few if any of you knows what it's like to be seperated from everything you love, and be thrown in a third world country for 12 months. Oh, did I forget to mention the IED's and being shot at? Many of these fine folks were reservists who proudly stood up and did what was asked, so if you won't stand behind them, feel free to STFU!

so bush lied about wmds ?

did bill clinton lie about wmds from 1993-2000 ?

...did joe biden lie about wmds from 1994-2003 ?

just curious.

if WMDs was a lie, and we killed 1 million iraqis with sanctions from 1993-2000.....then shouldnt we be trying the democrats like joe biden, and president clinton with genocide ?

why did NSA director sandy berger say "we believe sadaam hussein is training terror group al qaeda in chemical weapons" september 1998 ?

why just bush43 and not clinton biden pelosi kennedy kerry ?

Some one FINALLY does something really great to honor our beloved troops, and you people use it as a reason to debate your stupid political views! How about, "Good job!",

I think that you need to go back and read again, before you rant. We are saying: Thank you, and we hope that you guys never have to go to war again.

Please do not do "selective reading"

@ keck....if you think ANY politician is beyond lies and deceptions (or "bending" the truth) of ANY party, then you are truly to be pitied.

@ stlouisvet....uh...as a vet of the Iraq War, I, in fact, DID, in your words, "proudly stood up and did what was asked!" So feel free to STFU!!!

I don't remember any parades at the end of Vietnam? I used to hitchhike in uniform and by the end of the war it became advisable not to wear a uniform in many areas of this nation. Perhaps if we keep our noses out of the business of other nations, we won't have to have parades honoring those returning from a foreign land.

I sure would like to see a chunk of defense transferred to the Veterans Administration, and another chunk cut.

Welcome back, folks.

Citizen of the world has every right to speak up, this guy is a vet . And by the way what he says is the truth, I'm a Nam vet, we didn't get the parades and all that stuff, so I'm glad they're doing it for the vets of this war. The Iraq war should not have happened. It took the eye of the real target and that was get Obln. A lot of people were killed unnecessary.

@ Citizen- Thank you for your Air Force service. I'm sure you saw many horrific things at your Air Base while deployed. From the tone of your comments, it seems as you have separated from the military. If so, thank you for doing what is best for our Nation.

I lived on a tank for six months between Al-Fallujah and Ar-Ramadi, eating MRE's, T rations, and some canned food my wife was able to send me. I volunteered to be an Armor Crewman, and would do it again. "My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind -- accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my soldiers." My main focus at the time was to bring my Soldiers home. As a long range goal, I hoped to prevent my children from having to do the job over again in another 20 years.

I believe Saddam's constant saber rattling and brinksmanship was making the world a more dangerous place, and the benefits of having a known quantity in charge of a country no longer outweighed the unknown "who's next?" In the early part of the war, my unit had to secure a school before everything not nailed down was looted. In the school were books containing pictures of the Space Shuttle and the Moon Landing. Curiously, the Shuttle had the Iraqi flag and Arabic writing on it, and the astronaut on the moon was planting the Iraqi flag, also. Education for their citizens does not keep these people in power.

In the United States of America, the citizens elect the President, and entrust him to take care of our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen. Is the system perfect? Perhaps not, but it's the best we have, and as a Nation, we must try to do our best. I do seem to recall the vast majority of Congress giving their, and therefore our, support. It's kind of interesting/ sickening to me to see many of those same supporters spin why that was. Also interesting that President Clinton sent so many troops so many different places, but those weren't too well known to make that much news, so they must not have mattered.

Again, thank you to ALL Veterans of the Armed Services, past and present, and thank you to all who support our troops, whether or not you agree with why they are there. It means a lot to us.

5 million americans served in the persian gulf from 1990-2012.

some in the first gulf war...

many in the "containment" of hussein from 1991-2003, no fly zones, protecting the kuwaitis and the saudis from another invasion during the clinton administration.

sadaam will no longer be a thorn in any more americans side.

it's over.....to the combat vets of iraq, america salutes you.

@ Liberal Conservative....and I thank you for your service as well. Yes, I separated in 2005 after 10 years. Like you, I volunteered. Once again, we were activated because we were told that Hussein had the ability to do international damage with WMD and, I quote, "we were not (in the words of our President, Vice President and most of the Cabinet) going to wait for a mushroom cloud over one of our cities." I don't know what YOUR mission was, but mine was to support the finding and elimination of Hussein's WMD arsenal and any of his military that stood in the way of that mission. As far as I (and many of my fellow soldiers) was concerned, once it became obvious that the WMD threat was, at the very least, an intentionally exaggerated report that was crafted for the sole purpose of selling the justification for invasion, that is when I no longer supported "The Mission." Of course, that "mission" changed from month to month, year to year, depending on which way the wind was blowing. It went from WMD to a 9/11 link to getting the killer Hussein to ridding Iraq of al-Qaeda to, finally, helping the Iraqis have democracy. Well, some of my fellow soldiers had no problem with the changing objectives. For me, I had a memory, a conscience and values based on truth, honesty and integrity.

So, was it worth it? Is the trillion dollar price tag, the thousands of our colleagues killed and maimed for life, the tens of thousands of civilians (including many, many children) killed and maimed....is it all worth it? Was it worth changing a Sunni led country (the most liberal and secular of the Muslim faiths) into a Shi'ite led (like Iran!!!) country? For some, apparently...it was. For me...like Vietnam...it was a colossal waste of human life to say nothing of the trillion dollar price tag (not counting the ongoing support for wounded, etc).

Forgetting our military history is a sure recipe for repeating it. We did the same thing (covertly) by changing the leadership in Iran in the 1950's. Well, that sh*t blew back on us in 1978-79 and we're STILL paying for it. What kind of blow-back do you think we will suffer down the road for this 7 year "mistake"??? Do you think those who have suffered most in Iraq will forget anytime soon? Don't think so. The fact is, we, as a nation, lowered ourselves to the "evil" rogue state we thought we were "liberating." Anyone who calls this an "honorable" war has been sleep walking the last 10 years. Hoo-rah.

Citizen, for that reason only Bush 41 told Schawrzkopff to stop all operations. He understood that is was more practical to deal with Saddam and the Sunnis than removing them from the equation and allow Iran to have more influence in the region, but then 43 screwed things up. Removed Saddam out of the game and here we are, arguing with the Iranians again...

Where's the "Parade" for the Nam Vets, Desert Storm Vets? When are the Korean Vets going to get their "Parade"?? The U.S. has no business interveining into the internal Civil Wars of other countries. If terrorist ever again target America, its Interest or citizens around the World the U.S. should bomb the Supporters of those Terrorist attacks into the Stone Age and let those countries clean-up and rebuild their countries. No U.S. monies or Military Support to rebuild of any kind.

I also want to join my fellow Americans, in thanking the troops and their families. I have two nephews who served, in the middle east, along with my neighbors. Every generation of my family has served in war, since the Revolutionary war. Thanks to every soldier, who has given me the freedom, to live my life in the United States. I would like to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, their lives. My uncle died on Pork Chop Hill in Korea, when I was very young. I had no idea what "Missing in action" meant. When my grandma cried, I wondered why because I equated "missing" with lost. My uncle Virgil Kigar was in his early twenties and had his entire life ahead of him.

"Thank you," seems like a very small way, to honor anyone, who has served this country. Welcome home! May you find peace, of mind, body and spirit.

Lastly, I want our government, to provide all of you who need further education and jobs opportunies. You have earned the right, to have a decent future and merited the joy, of knowing we all owe you, our freedom.

THANK YOU!

secret: KMA!

No secret. As a damn proud Blue Star Mother - you take every single opportunity to celebrate and thank these selfless warriors. That's how. That's why.

PJ - I, too, am proud of your son and happy he returned alive. But the issue is -- was all this necessary or was it a fraud? Think of the thousands of "gold star" mothers.

@ PJ - YOU ARE SO LUCKY -- both your brother and your son

returned ALIVE after having engaged in PHONY WARS!! The US involvement in Viet Nam has long since been totally discredited. And it's common knowledge that WE THE PEOPLE of the United States were lied to about Hussain's WMD.

Mamie - first allow me to thank you for your kind words toward our son.

Second, make no mistake - I think of all Gold Star Mothers on a daily basis and have wept for their loss and been humbled by their courage. I've met many through our years of gathering, Memorial Day rememberances.... Let me take you back a bit further. Am a member of the DAR as well - Daughters of the American Revolution - my family tree has seen military service in every generation since coming to these shores. I'll not take this time to discuss the politics of the what and why. I shall take the time to celebrate with my country to say THANK YOU for a job well done. As volunteers, when asked - they stood with raised hand and said - take me - I am ready - I am able. That's what I am celebrating.

This post in NOT about why the United States went to war, it is about those who served. Soldiers!

All Americans owe them a debt of gratitude for serving, no matter the reason.

What is even dumber is that these soldiers went to war and claim that they are following "orders" so if the general tells you to kill your own family are you going to do that? the heck with that crap. So you were not honored in Nam big deal. The million people in Iraq are not honored for all the bombs you threw at them nor were their families that you killed relentlessly supported. Nobody ever says anything about those poor fathers and or mothers that hold their dead children in their hands. Nobody talks about their sacrifice or their mental anguish. So several thousand of you soldiers die big F'ing deal. Thousands and MILLIONS OF IRAQIS AND AFGHANS combined are injured or are dead. Screw this You soldiers act like you did this country some great service and that your humble. Yet there are so many claims of rape and indecent acts within the army or that they have done abroad that its laughable. Its amazing how convinced people are that you soldiers did something honor worthy when all you really did is kill people that were innocent and help your leaders go after resources. The small amount of good that you may have done there was overwhelmed by the bad. The fact that none of you soldiers and or citizens say anything in honor of the dead iraqis or afghans is evident of how much you dislike Islam and its people. Its said Soldiers have rules and regulations before they fire a single bullet at a person. Yet there are soldiers who piss on dead bodies and make finger trophies of their victims in the middle east. There are thousands of dead muslims that are innocent civilians labeled as insurgents in the middle east. You tell us that you soldiers are following your damn orders? Screw that? You have the choice to listen. you always have the choice. You soldiers had the choice to kill and you did...you soldiers had the choice to stop and you did not. That does not mean that the soldiers in syria who help kill their own people are not bad. Its just that as the top super power in the world who invests so much in the army, it's a shame that you would go so far as to say that all the people you killed were for the sake of "the safety of the american people". Yeah....countries that are 3000+ miles away really are a threat. Its like saying a boy with a rock in his hand is a threat to an f'ing tank!

For all you trolls who are ready to comment. Know this I do not care what you say nor will I respond to it...You can talk all about those crazy people who claim to be Islam and how they kill other people and all that other bull-crap your going to say against Islam. They do not represent Islam. So REMEMBER this, we muslims never invaded an entire country nor demolished them for the sake of resources, we never fired a nuclear weapon nor did we even have one, we also never used other people as slaves to the magnitude that you did to make products and or do services for us, we also never have ridiculed judaism or christianity like you have ridiculed our religion. Please READ CAREFULLY what I said before you open your mouth too!

Quit bitching PJ & organize one --- Government doesn't do this, it didn't even pay for the "VJ Day" parade

No bitching here Jim - try and cut thru all the governmental roadblocks here in CA. And thank you for the thoughtful comment.

If the government paid for a parade the righties would crucify Obama. Remember we took out a charge card on Iraq after the fact, we don't have enough money for a government sponsored parade.

I live in St. Louis. Unfortunately, we weren't able to go down to the parade. It was a cold but beautiful day for it.

A city near us does something similar to this every year. It is a Flag Day Parade in Appleton, WI. It is the largest in the country. It is used to recognize our Patroitism and recognize those veterans not only in past wars and service but, also those presently serving. Nice job St. Louis!

Fantastic Kevin and thanks for that info. I've often wished troop homecomings were published in our area - I'd be there. I know what it is like standing and watching for that first glimpse of our son's face each and every single time he is home. It's nothing short of magic.

Why are we not having these in all the big cities - all across the country?? We have Occupy, Illegal Alliens, Gay Pride, Union, Hotel Workers, Tea Party, Sports Team parades and marches but not a Welcome Home Parade to our Warriors??

Because as "Citizen of the World", myself, and other vets and certain people know, most people only feel "patriotic "on Veteran's day and the 4th of July. Any other day, they really don't care. And especially the politicians that are throwing campaign rhetoric. To them, it's just another rhetorical BS campaign. They never say thank you from the heart. For all that veterans care, they would rather have some $$$$$ sometimes than medals. A medal and a $1.00 will buy you a cup of coffee, and you can buy medals at the Army Navy stores or at the flea market.

If people really cared about vets, they would stand up and DEMAND that we end all the wars around the world, just like Ron Paul was saying.We would help them with their bills, and with the many mental and physical illness that are the "benefits"of a war.

Wow - Meyers50 - thanks for the background - makes it all the more appreciated and grand. Thank you!

What freedom are you talking about?

Go ahead and show all of us American Vets just how embarrassed you are. Move to some other country.

no democrats ever said sadaam had wmds ?

joe biden said it in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003.

bill clinton signed "the regime change act of 1998"...sponsored by nancy pelosi

democrats forget their role in WMDs in iraq, i will remind you guys.

democrats said in 1998 sadaam needed to be removed. here is a list...

ted kennedy

dianne feinsteinn

carl levin

chris dodd

tom daschle

barbara boxer

max baucus

charles schumer

hillary clinton

john kerry

al gore

madeline albright

bill clinton

george tennet

every single democrat said this in 1998
(bush was governor of texas)

Keck...I do recall anyone, and I mean anyone who questioned the logic of going into Iraq after 9/11 (because they somehow caused 9/11 as President Bush & Cheney first made the case with), when Bin Laden was either in Afghanistan (but most likely) Pakistan, was treated as an unpatriotic American hating terrorist sympathizer...Heck I was still in the Navy at the time and I had a conservative "patriot" (who never served btw) called me that....I am guessing a lot of Dems probably did not want to deal with being called terrorist sympathizers by conservatives (and their eventual cable news station Fox) on a daily basis so they basically just went along with anything Bush said...

in the dark days after 9/11., americans knew we were at war....and bin laden started it, but sadaam did not do 9/11.......but they were connected.

if you remember the anger after 9/11......we were going to end ALL terrorism on the planet. icluding the IRA terorism, sure it was naive to think we could end global terrorism at the time.

but we were hurting, and expecting more attacks...maybe a nuke attack even....we were scared.

9/11 showed the entire world it was not safe anymore....for anyone.

i still think a nuclear attack will happen one day in our lifetimes.....god help us.

Absolutely !!

This has nothing to do with politics or personal interest. This has ALL to do with the brave men and women of our armed forces who VOLUNTARILY and in the case of Vietnam, voluntarily and involuntarily join and serve this proud nation.

They risk their lives every day for your's. Generations of young and old have died in combat so you can eat your hot meals in the comfort of your home with your family.

Yes, It's their job........but you know what..........a good majority of our police and firefighters are veterans and they're still laying their lives on the line ............even for the likes of you. A simple thank you when they save your sorry but would be sufficient!