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Thousands gather for parade honoring Vietnam vets

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The Associated Press Updated 10:26 PM Saturday, November 7, 2009

SHELBY, Ohio — About 5,000 people gathered for a parade in a small Ohio town to give Vietnam veterans the welcome home many never received decades ago.

Marching bands played John Philip Sousa's "Washington Post," Air National Guard fighter jets did a flyover and 2,000 Vietnam veterans marched down Main Street in Shelby during a parade Saturday. People along the parade route waved American flags, while windows displayed signs that said "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans."

Vietnam-era military vehicles and horse-drawn wagons were part of the procession, and the highlight was a flyover by two F-16 Air National Guard fighter jets.

Gene Hembree of Preble County remembers the teacher at his high school telling him to leave when he visited after returning home from Vietnam in 1974.

Parade organizer Bill Staton said he held the event to make up for the negative reception many Vietnam veterans received when they returned home.

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November 08, 2009 03:21 AM EST

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