MEDIA CONTACT:
STEVEN ENGELHARDT (314) 504-4029
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SATURDAY 1.28.12

Clay Salutes Welcome Home Heroes Parade in St. Louis

Nation’s First Celebration Honors Iraq Veterans

NOTE: The following, in its entirety, is a first-person statement from Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri

-ST. LOUIS, MO – “It is my great honor to welcome home our brave sons and daughters who served so brilliantly in Iraq.  I am proud of the grass-roots effort that grew this Welcome Home Heroes Parade from a handful of patriotic St. Louisans to the thousands who are assembled today in downtown St. Louis to honor these brave veterans. 

Our Iraq veteranscome home with their heads held high for a job well done.  Almost nine years ago, their mission to Iraq began.  We could not have known then that the road would be this long and so difficult.  But through it all, their love of country, their devotion to duty and their dedication to each other allowed them to achieve all their objectives and much more.

More than 1.5 million Americans have served in Iraq.  Over 32,000 have been wounded.  Nearly 4,500 Americans made the ultimate sacrifice – and they are joined in eternal honor by more than 1800 fallen heroes in Afghanistan.  We grieve for them all, and we pray that God will grant their families strength, comfort and courage as they bear this terrible burden.  We also salute the steadfast devotion of all military families, because we know it is not only the soldier who serves. We will never forget their strength.

Our nation’s commitment to veterans does not end when you take off the uniform.  The new G.I Bill, which I was proud to support can help you get the education that will allow you to live out your dreams.  And along with President Obama, I am supporting a national effort to put our veterans to work. 

But even after you come home, your service is not over.  Our communities, here in St. Louis and across the nation, need your talent, your energy, your skills and your discipline to rebuilt, restore and reinvigorate our nation.  Even though the war in Iraq is over, your mission continues.

So to all our Iraq veterans, and to all those who still serve in Afghanistan, we are proud of you. 

We have ended one war, and we will be winding down another conflict in a way that will make America stronger and the entire world more secure.

Thank you for your brave service in the defense of freedom.

May God bless you all.

And may God continue to bless the United States.”

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