Richmond VA hosts welcome home parade for GWOT Vets

From the Virginia Pilot:

An Armed Forces Day welcome home parade in Richmond has honored returning Iraq War veterans.

Thousands of people turned out for Saturday's parade, which ended with a free outdoor concert and what organizers call a veterans' resource exposition. Active-duty personnel and veterans from all military service branches marched in the parade alongside high school marching bands, Army and Air Force units and the Marine Band.

"I'm absolutely thrilled that everybody took the time out to support the military," said Army staff Sgt. Jason Harich, a parade participant who has served two tours each in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"In my 17 years, I have never seen an event like this, and I am honored and thrilled that it is being done," Harich said. "This is how I like to see our community, together as one."

My friend Jonn Lilyea made the trek down from West Virginia for the parade and has a ton of pictures and some story to go with it.  Good on Richmond just like St. Louis before it.  Let's hope this gets repl;icated everywhere.