Planet members and their kids serving in Iraq and Afghanistan need our support.

[crazycoffey]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Well done St. Louis, Well done!

ST. LOUIS• Thousands of people waved U.S. flags and shouted "thank you" Saturday during a downtown parade to welcome home Iraq war veterans.

Many spectators wore layers of jackets and huddled under blankets on the cold, sunny day as they cheered on veterans of recent U.S. wars in the first parade of its kind in a major U.S. city

I just heard this part was a topic in discussion, something about it being the first of it's kind since WWII. I don't know if that is correct or not. Cool either way, and if I was off work this weekend I would have loved to go.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by CrazyCoffey

I just heard this part was a topic in discussion, something about it being the first of it's kind since WWII. I don't know if that is correct or not. Cool either way, and if I was off work this weekend I would have loved to go.

Thats what I heard too. The first parade honoring vets that wasn't organized by a city/state/government but by John Doe Q public just to say thanks to the troops since WWII. No politics. Just a fellow citzen showing appreciation for their sacrifice. Thats some strong mojo. Really us at our best.

[crazycoffey]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Thats what I heard too. The first parade honoring vets that wasn't organized by a city/state/government but by John Doe Q public just to say thanks to the troops since WWII. No politics. Just a fellow citzen showing appreciation for their sacrifice. Thats some strong mojo. Really us at our best.

You still in St. Louis, or come back regularly? I want to buy you a beer.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by CrazyCoffey

You still in St. Louis, or come back regularly? I want to buy you a beer.

I've been in Florida for about 20 months now. I came back to St. Louis last year to watch a game last year. Probably not this year. Going to go on a couple of trips to watch Cardinals spring traning games. They are here in St. Pete abotu 5 mintues from my house for a series this year. Also thinking about going to Miami to watch some games and have some fun on South Beach.

[crazycoffey]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

I've been in Florida for about 20 months now. I came back to St. Louis last year to watch a game last year. Probably not this year. Going to go on a couple of trips to watch Cardinals spring traning games. They are here in St. Pete abotu 5 mintues from my house for a series this year. Also thinking about going to Miami to watch some games and have some fun on South Beach.

That's right, I though I remembered something about florida for the DOD job thingy. Well, certainly look me up when you come back through. Conversely my Dad spends his winters on the West side of the Panhandle, if we make it that way in the next few weeks, I'll let you know.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by CrazyCoffey

I just heard this part was a topic in discussion, something about it being the first of it's kind since WWII. I don't know if that is correct or not. Cool either way, and if I was off work this weekend I would have loved to go.

http://iava.org/blog/pats-and-giants...-don%E2%80%99t

If the Giants or Pats get a parade, shouldn't Iraq vets? Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on February 3



The ticker-tape parade is a slice of Americana as old as the Statue of Liberty. It’s an honor reserved for a select few (sort of), from astronauts returning from space to military heroes to beloved politicians like Teddy Roosevelt. It’s also happened for baseball player Sammy Sosa, and even the President of Indonesia. This weekend, either the New England Patriots or New York Giants will earn the title “champion” at the Super Bowl, and be treated to a victory parade in Boston or New York City as a result.

Getting Super Bowl-champ football players a parade in their hometowns is never an issue. But Iraq War veterans? They deserve a little praise, too. They answered our country’s call, and in the least, they survived. But for some reason, they’re running into all kinds of resistance. Last week, New York City’s Mayor Bloomberg said that a parade “would be premature while so many troops are still in harm’s way around the world.”

After eight years of war there that saw over 4,400 American troops killed and over 32,000 wounded-in-action physically, the Iraq War finally ended on December 31, 2011. Yet, only St. Louis has held a “Welcome Home Our Heroes”parade to date--and solely because two guys launched a Facebook page and motivated a grassroots group of citizens. In less than a week it morphed into an incredibly inspiring event. And it definitely lit a spark. Ever since then, we’ve been inundated with notes and emails from folks from San Francisco to Portland, Maine who want to do the same thing for the Iraq veterans in their communities.

That’s why today IAVA is calling on the President, New York Mayor Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Menino, and Mayors and government officials nationwide to coordinate a National Day of Action to not only welcome home Iraq veterans but to channel critical jobs, education and transition resources to them and their families. It’s a chance for all of us to work together—just like we do on Veterans Day. Let’s tap into the tremendous Sea of Goodwill that exists in the hearts of millions of Americans. Let’s use some of our military experience to “coordinate fires.” And instead of cities nationwide promoting events at different times over the next few years, let’s all work together to coordinate a single, historic, transformative day to unite communities nationwide. If you stand with us, and want to see a welcome home parade in your area, stand with our veterans and sign our petition here.

For the Mayors of New York and Boston: are you really okay with your football teams getting ticker tape parades and not your new veterans? I am as big a fan as they come, but why do the Giants get a parade in the Canyon of Heroes and not our nation’s military? If that does happen, what does that say about us as a society and our priorities?

Yes, Iraq and Afghanistan are two different wars. Americans know the Afghanistan front still rages on, with the end of combat operations not expected until 2013. But that doesn’t mean our country can’t start welcoming home those who have already returned and pave the way for those still to come. It will also show our troops in Afghanistan now that they won’t be forgotten when that war ends too. And the expense should not be an issue. Just like in St Louis, sponsors should step up, and local people can chip in to donate goods, time and money.

If we can afford two wars, we can afford two welcome home parades.

But this effort is about more than just a parade. It is what parades represent – a celebration, a commemoration, and an expression of gratitude by a community that has finally learned to separate the war from warriors. It is about creating a day to remember those we’ve lost, respect those who have served, and respond to their needs as returning veterans. After a decade at war, with the burden of so many carried by so few, who deserves a parade more than the brave men and women who have deployed two, three, four times since 9/11?

The New Greatest Generation has proven time and time again that they are dedicated to service. Now, it’s on us to return the favor.

Even if you don’t have skin in this Super Bowl game, sign IAVA’s petition to the President and Mayors nationwide before kickoff this Sunday 6:30pm EST calling for a national day to honor and celebrate the service of some real heroes – the over 1 million veterans who have served our country in Iraq.

No matter who you root for this Super Bowl Sunday, our veterans are one team every American can and must get behind.

Sign the petition here:
http://iava.org/welcome-home-our-heroes-show-support




Sent from my iPhone

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

http://iava.org/blog/pats-and-giants...-don%E2%80%99t

If the Giants or Pats get a parade, shouldn't Iraq vets? Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on February 3



The ticker-tape parade is a slice of Americana as old as the Statue of Liberty. It’s an honor reserved for a select few (sort of), from astronauts returning from space to military heroes to beloved politicians like Teddy Roosevelt. It’s also happened for baseball player Sammy Sosa, and even the President of Indonesia. This weekend, either the New England Patriots or New York Giants will earn the title “champion” at the Super Bowl, and be treated to a victory parade in Boston or New York City as a result.

Getting Super Bowl-champ football players a parade in their hometowns is never an issue. But Iraq War veterans? They deserve a little praise, too. They answered our country’s call, and in the least, they survived. But for some reason, they’re running into all kinds of resistance. Last week, New York City’s Mayor Bloomberg said that a parade “would be premature while so many troops are still in harm’s way around the world.”

After eight years of war there that saw over 4,400 American troops killed and over 32,000 wounded-in-action physically, the Iraq War finally ended on December 31, 2011. Yet, only St. Louis has held a “Welcome Home Our Heroes”parade to date--and solely because two guys launched a Facebook page and motivated a grassroots group of citizens. In less than a week it morphed into an incredibly inspiring event. And it definitely lit a spark. Ever since then, we’ve been inundated with notes and emails from folks from San Francisco to Portland, Maine who want to do the same thing for the Iraq veterans in their communities.

That’s why today IAVA is calling on the President, New York Mayor Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Menino, and Mayors and government officials nationwide to coordinate a National Day of Action to not only welcome home Iraq veterans but to channel critical jobs, education and transition resources to them and their families. It’s a chance for all of us to work together—just like we do on Veterans Day. Let’s tap into the tremendous Sea of Goodwill that exists in the hearts of millions of Americans. Let’s use some of our military experience to “coordinate fires.” And instead of cities nationwide promoting events at different times over the next few years, let’s all work together to coordinate a single, historic, transformative day to unite communities nationwide. If you stand with us, and want to see a welcome home parade in your area, stand with our veterans and sign our petition here.

For the Mayors of New York and Boston: are you really okay with your football teams getting ticker tape parades and not your new veterans? I am as big a fan as they come, but why do the Giants get a parade in the Canyon of Heroes and not our nation’s military? If that does happen, what does that say about us as a society and our priorities?

Yes, Iraq and Afghanistan are two different wars. Americans know the Afghanistan front still rages on, with the end of combat operations not expected until 2013. But that doesn’t mean our country can’t start welcoming home those who have already returned and pave the way for those still to come. It will also show our troops in Afghanistan now that they won’t be forgotten when that war ends too. And the expense should not be an issue. Just like in St Louis, sponsors should step up, and local people can chip in to donate goods, time and money.

If we can afford two wars, we can afford two welcome home parades.

But this effort is about more than just a parade. It is what parades represent – a celebration, a commemoration, and an expression of gratitude by a community that has finally learned to separate the war from warriors. It is about creating a day to remember those we’ve lost, respect those who have served, and respond to their needs as returning veterans. After a decade at war, with the burden of so many carried by so few, who deserves a parade more than the brave men and women who have deployed two, three, four times since 9/11?

The New Greatest Generation has proven time and time again that they are dedicated to service. Now, it’s on us to return the favor.

Even if you don’t have skin in this Super Bowl game, sign IAVA’s petition to the President and Mayors nationwide before kickoff this Sunday 6:30pm EST calling for a national day to honor and celebrate the service of some real heroes – the over 1 million veterans who have served our country in Iraq.

No matter who you root for this Super Bowl Sunday, our veterans are one team every American can and must get behind.

Sign the petition here:
http://iava.org/welcome-home-our-heroes-show-support




Sent from my iPhone

More citizens not waiting for their public entities to organize a parade for the vets. Grassroots parades forming all over th USA based on the St. Louis model.
http://on.msnbc.com/yaKJxI

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by StanziShouldStart

I just heard this part was a topic in discussion, something about it being the first of it's kind since WWII. I don't know if that is correct or not. Cool either way, and if I was off work this weekend I would have loved to go.

Another grass roots parade honoring the Iraq/Afghanstan vets took place today in Tucson, Arizona.

http://www.thankyousazvets.org/

With your help we hope to have a great show of patriotism and love of our country by having a complete sea of flags waving at our Veterans during the parade. Please bring your flags and proudly recognize these brave men and women.

Also, this parade will be a wonderful opportunity to extend your own personal message to these warriors. By creating a colorful poster, sign, banner, etc. with what you want to tell the Veterans is something you and they will never forget.

VETERANS
The parade is for you, courtesy of the Tucson Community and beyond. It is this city’s opportunity to finally show their appreciation for your service and respect for you. We need to have a massive showing of all Veterans in order to make this parade successful. Also, recognizing the stress and courage shown by the loved ones you left behind, we are inviting your immediate family to proudly march with you in the parade. We cannot proceed with your participation until you send in your completed

[Ugly Duck]

Home is the sailor
Home from the sea
And home is the hunter
Home from the hill

My son-in-law is back from the Stan. Hats off to all who serve. And hear this Ode to Bin Laden..... "Asshole in the Sand" starts at minute 2:00

[Easy 6]

Much continuing gratitude & many kudos to all of our active duty servicemen/women.

Cant wait until 2013 when we can finally just let those damned neandrathals rape & shoot themselves into oblivion... our guys, gals & money are simply too good to waste on dead-end people like that.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by D2112

Thats SHTSPRAYER in the middle in Afghanistan. ****ing crazy mofo joined the army in his 40's.

Are you serious? Wow, pretty incredible. He needs to get a ChiefsPlanet care package.

[2112]

Originally Posted by patteeu

Are you serious? Wow, pretty incredible. He needs to get a ChiefsPlanet care package.

Yes, Im serious. thats from his facebook page. I couldnt believe it myself. now I know why he hasnt been around.

[Easy 6]

That is outstanding, very best regards to madcrapper.