Local Campaign For Iraq War Veteran Parade Gains Steam

A grassroots effort that began just a couple weeks ago to welcome home troops from Iraq with a parade in downtown St. Louis is now a reality.

The group has announced that it has met its goal of raising $25,000 to honor the veterans on Jan. 28. It is set to meet with St. Louis officials regarding plans on Tuesday.

Organizer Craig Schneider, of St. Charles, told KMOX-AM that the parade is not just a way to welcome veterans back home and to say thank you. It's to help them adjust and to allow them to put their military skills back to work in the community. Schneider is co-organizing the event with Tom and LaDonna Applebaum who live just outside Creve Coeur.

The Mission Continues, a national veteran's nonprofit organization, has agreed to assist the group with the parade. According to the group, St. Louis will be the first major American city to officially welcome the troops home from Iraq.

“Anheuser-Busch and Mayflower were the first two major corporate donors to step up to the plate,” Schneider said in a news release. “When The Mission Continues came on board, we knew this dream that started just a few short weeks ago would quickly become an incredible reality.”

Organizers will need more help in the next couple weeks to make the parade a success. To find out how you can help, visit Mission Continues.