Salute to St. Louis

A Three Bags Full Award goes to the City of St. Louis for being the first to officially welcome our troops home with their 'Welcome Home Heroes Parade'.  Friends, Tom Appelbaum and Craig Schneider decided to honor our military troops by asking the mayor to host a parade through downtown St. Louis.  What started as an idea grew to thousands as residents from all over attended the event.  Generous donations of $10,000 from Anheuser-Busch and $7,500 from the Mayflower moving company made it all possible. 

"Veterans have sacrificed so much for the safety and well-being of St. Louisans," Mayor Francis Slay said. "This is a chance to demonstrate our appreciation for them." 

 Army Maj. Rich Radford along with 600 veterans many having served numerous tours of duty, marched in the parade and were touched to see the support by so many in such cold weather.   Lining the streets were people waving flags, clapping and holding signs saying "Welcome Home" and "Thank You Military Men and Women."   Marching bands, politicians and even the famous Budweiser Clydesdales joined the troops walking the route.  

With 6,500 Americans killed to date, a 'Reading of The Fallen' at the Soldiers Memorial in the downtown area was presented until each person's name was read.  91,000 military continue to serve putting their lives on the line to keep the world a safer place.  Thank you for your examples.