More military veterans marched in the second Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Parade in Kimmswick, said Phil Stang, former Kimmswick mayor and one of the parade’s organizers.
Stang said there were 26 groups or organizations in this year’s parade, which was held March 28.
He said a few hundred veterans either rode vehicles or marched in the procession.
“The parade was big,” he said. “We had representatives from VFWs, Amvets and all kinds of people.
“I want to thank everyone who participated either in the parade or coming to see it.”
Stang said the attendance was lower than last year, when approximately 500 people attended.
“We had a decent crowd, but the important issue for me is we had a lot of veterans who really appreciated the parade,” he said.
“It was nicer than last year when it was raining. Overall, I would say it was a success.”
Kimmswick along with Meramec-Arnold Elks Lodge 2372 organized the parade, which started at Windsor Elementary School and made a loop around the city before returning to the school.
Stang said a highlight for him was handing out commemorative pins to Vietnam War veterans.
He said a table also was set up midway along the parade route for veterans to pick up a pin.
The pin has an eagle head in the center with six stars to the left of the eagle with stripes in the background. The pin is blue and its border has a laurel wreath with the words “Vietnam War Veteran.”
The back of the pin has an inscription that says, “A Grateful Nation Thanks and Honors You.”
“When I spotted a person who I knew the answer to either from a hat or the right age group, I would give them one of these pins,” Stang said.
“There also was a write up that went with each pin that I gave them. It is a very nice pin that some of them didn’t have.”
Stang said organizers plan to hold the parade again next year, but it may be held on a different weekend to try to not to compete with Easter season events.
The parade was held March 28 this year because March 29 is designated Vietnam War Veterans Day.
The last U.S. personnel was evacuated from Vietnam in 1975 after the U.S. Military Assistance Command was disestablished on March 29, 1973.
“We may look at a different weekend, but it will always be a Saturday,” Stang said.
Stang said it is important to hold the parade to honor not just Vietnam War veterans but all military veterans.
“I feel it is part of my calling,” he said of helping organize the parade. “I am expanding my interaction with veterans to include this parade.
“I am on the veterans committee with the (Meramec-Arnold) Elks, and we do a lot of good work with veterans.”