Blog Post

Meet us in St. Louis this Saturday!
Posted by Angela Peacock on January 26 2012

Give every Iraq and Afghanistan vet the welcome home they deserve. Join IAVA in calling for a national event to honor the 2.4 million veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. Add your name to our petition.

Angela is marching in St. Louis this Saturday, in the country's first parade for veterans of Iraq. Sign up on Facebook to join her and IAVA January 28 for the Welcome Home our Heroes parade.

I spent 7 years Active Duty in the US Army and served in the first wave in Baghdad, Iraq in 2003 as a Tactical Communications Operator (31R). As a Sergeant, I cared deeply about every one of my soldiers and did everything in my power to protect them and see that they all went home safe and healthy.

After medical retirement in 2004, I had a hard transition back to civilian life but realized it was still my mission to continue to serve even though I was labeled "disabled." I decided to focus on things I could do and decided to advocate to the best of my abilities for servicemembers coming behind me on their way out of the service back to civilian life. I knew because I had had a rough time coming home after the first wave, there would be thousands after me, experiencing similar things.

I experienced the depression, the loss of purpose, the suicidal ideation, the struggle for normalcy for many years. With the help of my service dog, GI Joe, and helpful therapy from the Vet Center in St. Louis, I am beginning to get back into truly living again.

In 2003, arriving in Germany after my medevac, I never got a "Welcome Home" parade, or loved ones to greet me when I got off the C-17. I was greeted by nurses and doctors and Landstuhl staff. This Saturday in St. Louis, MO, through a grassroots effort on behalf of normal, everyday citizens that know little about military life, they've worked tirelessly to be the first city in the Nation to throw a Parade and Veterans Resource Village to welcome home Iraq veterans since President Obama has officially pulled all troops from Iraq.

To see my own city recognizing us is amazing to me, since the closest military base in Missouri is almost 3 hours away. To see civilians starting the conversation, leading the way in the nation to honor veterans in a unique way has filled me with gratitude! St. Louis is traditionally Cardinal Nation but this weekend we are transforming into Veteran Nation! Friday night beginning at 9:11 p.m. the names of all the servicemen and women who did not make it home will be read all night until the parade begins. St. Louis has come together in a unique way, unlike anything I've seen since being home.

I feel it is my duty, and a great honor to walk with my head held high for my time and experiences in service and walk for those behind me that cannot yet walk or didn't make it home. Will you join us in marching in the parade and honoring our brothers and sisters?

Angela is marching in St. Louis this Saturday, in the country's first parade for veterans of Iraq. Sign up on Facebook to join her and IAVA January 28 for the Welcome Home our Heroes parade.

  Share:
 del.icio.us  digg  reddit  facebook  newsvine myspace twitter