No parades for returning troops
The Army Times reports that there will be no parades or celebrations for the returning troops and for the end of their war in Iraq;
Officials in New York and Washington say they would be happy to help stage a big celebration, but Pentagon officials say they haven’t been asked to plan one.
Most welcome-homes have been smaller-scale: hugs from families at military posts across the country, a somber commemoration by President Obama at Fort Bragg, N.C.
With tens of thousands of U.S. troops still fighting a bloody war in Afghanistan, anything that looks like a big victory celebration could be seen as unseemly and premature, some say.
Me? I’d like to see a parade, but if I had to be in it, I might think differently. So I wonder what you think. Many of you have been in Iraq, and I’m really interested in what your feelings on this are. I avoided celebrations when I was home on leave after Desert Storm, but I’ve never been a big fan of crowds. I did, however, stop by my son’s classroom to thank his classmates for the letters they sent me while I was there.
Category: Military issues
I may be an outlier, but I don’t have the sense of pride from serving in Iraq that I would equate to what WWII vets deservedly felt.
I had moments in the sun after Desert Storm that in retrospect, I’m almost ashamed of, given how little I did to deserve praise.
My OIF experience was the polar opposite, but I’m not terribly comfortable talking about that time with people who weren’t there and wouldn’t really understand. I’ve turned down casual offers from my daughters school to come and talk, but if pressed, I would prefer something like that to parades and public accolades.
This is all aside from the pain involved in rehearsals, walkthroughs, dress rehearsals and associated tomfoolery with lavish military ceremonies.
I’m only speaking for myself, but I wouldn’t want a parade. After two deployments, each time a small group of gentlemen were there at the airport to shake my hand when I got off the plane. That’s enough for me. I would rather have a small group of earnest supporters showing their gratitude than the big show of a parade.
I wouldn’t mind a parade for nothing short of absolute victory. I’m proud of what I have done and show no regrets but to me a parade is a bit much. Plus I don’t want to rehearse at all.
I think differently. I want to show all the troops who served in any capacity, but especially in combat that I appreciate the sacrifices made, regardless of what individuals might have felt in that capacity.
We need to be able to show respect to them regardless of the big “V” as others would define it. It is necessary to be recognized, IMO. Duty, Honor, Country. It was a war, and there were sacrifices which for some was ultimate and others will continue to sacrifice. It’s just the right thing to do.
I agree with CI, my service in Iraq is a time I don’t want to be reminded of. Finally being able to join the VFW was reward enough for me, that and having old vets that have done far more than I’ll ever do, thanking me for my service. It still brings a lump to my throat thinking about it.
I think many people are thinking of an end-of-war parade as some sort of joyous occasion only.
I would support a parade of any type, even a quiet, solemn parade at Arlington. The parade shouldn’t be about emotions, it should be about officially marking the end of a war.
Truman called for a national day of prayer on V-E Day and V-J Day. The joyous celebrations in the streets weren’t planned on those days, but the parades that followed were.
Parades should be held to salute the sacrifice and victory of a nation, its soldiers and their families. The absence of such an event is disgraceful.
I covered several homecomings with the 29th ID public affairs office, and I would think very few of the guys would want a parade. When the 3-116th came home to Winchester from Afghanistan, they did a whole big parade and ceremony thing in the city, and forced them to march in formation to the ceremony site. Then they had to stand in formation while local and state politicians bloviated. I remember thinking, “why not just let these guys hug their families???”
I took this photo.
http://vko.va.ngb.army.mil/virginiaguard/news/jul2005/3-116threturn.html
I would think they’d be annoyed.
Public adoration is uncomfortable. For a quick example, look at the troops’ faces when they come through Atlanta airport and people start clapping. Way back in my youth, it made me squirm.
As for a parade, if they did have one, maybe have it where the troops are really appreciated. You know, in ‘Flyover Country”. New York & DC would be a shitty place to have it, considering their barely veiled contempt for soldiers and the inevitable self aggrandizing that would result.
Here’s an idea – if you want to have a parade to honor the troops, how’s about having the troops sit somewhere and have a parade go by for THEM to enjoy?
Just cannot get my head around a concept that insists that making me/them march around on public display, listening to speeches saying nothing I/they want to hear is an honor.
I was in ONE parade that someone managed to do well. The unit being honored was told when to report and where, uniform optional. There was an honor guard leading the unit followed by a gaggle of unit members and their families trailing along behind. It was a beautiful sight. And allowed folks to interact with everyone along the parade route.
As a Vet of OEF and OIF, I will say this, skip the parade, give me a bottle of good Single Malt that I can use to drink to fallen comrades…
After Desert Storm the community on The Big Island had a parade for those returning. They, in turn, invited us ‘Nam vets to join them.
I kinda liked that one.
Saw Rolling Thunder in DC one year. Certainly enjoyed that one, but I ain’t sure that can be called a parade?
Maybe something organized on a community level wouldn’t be so bad?
I would not care if we had killed every mo-fo in the Taliban, AQ and every other mooslimb fundamentalist organization on Earth, and had made Iran our Bitch.
I still would not want a parade…a pain in the ass to plan and execute and a horrible waste of Warriors’ time that could be spent with their families or training.
Obama and wife (a/k/a The All-This-For-A-Flag Queen) Michele would probably be the grand marshals. That’s reason enough not to hold it, but I defer to those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. If they want one, they should have one, If not, not.
I would like to see a nice parade of veterans who will march by John Murtha’s grave, and piss on it one after another.
Put enough salt on it that nothing will ever grow on it again.
Well there was a massive parade for the End of WWII with the 82nd, the USS Enterprise crew, and really the most notable units of the war going down the Avenues in NYC. I’d be willing to bet that we could get a division worth of troops, and a division worth of OIF vets to march in formation.
A Parade is more than a country just honoring their young men and women’s service. It is an opportunity for the American people to show some pride. Sure, what you have given is more than most but it is time to give even more. We are a Nation torn apart by politicians that prefer to line their pockets rather than represent our country. We have elected leaders who will not defend our borders, selling weapons to criminals that are being used to kill our police and citizens. Our present president hangs out with mescreants who have bombed police stations, tried to over-throw our nation. He consorts with known terrorist fund raisers. Now, prayer is banned in most schools. You can’t even stand up and say you are anti-gay, anti-communist or anti- anything without being called racist. You are not done, we are not done. America needs a parade. They need to be shown there are Americans out there that care about love of country. I say, try again. Stand up and declare yourself to our Nation. Help push the scum back under the rocks they crawled out from under. Back the movement for a parade and march in the damn thing. America need you more now than ever.
All I remember is the ridiculous war fever our country (the civilian populace) had after the invasion of Iraq–I saw it when I came home from that deployment. But sure enough, within two years, they had lost their heart for the fight. They had the luxury of losing their heart for the fight, because the fact was, military folks were still going to be deployed regardless of all the apathetic behavior back home. So eight years later, we finally end this thing–for good or bad–and they still don’t give a shit. My gripe isn’t with the war itself, but the American population who quit giving a shit a long time ago.
#14 – Badda-Bing!!!
A suggestion that just crossed this civilian’s mind: Why not have the returning soldiers ride on floats/trailers, ideally with on-board beer supplies. You guys get to chill out, and we get to show you our appreciation for a job damn well done. That’s how we honor sports champions, why not honor those who served their country voluntarily at great personal risk?