Veteran's parade in St. Louis (20 images)

Justin Petty, a veteran of two tours of service in Iraq, shakes the hands of parade goers during a veteans parade in St. Louis on January 28, 2012. Thousands of people lined a parade route in downtown St. Louis for the nation's first parade to honor those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. UPI/Bill Greenblatt

Army veteran Logan Merrill waves as he passes under an American flag while riding on a truck in a parade in St. Louis on January 28, 2012. Thousands of people lined a parade route in downtown St. Louis for the nation's first parade to honor those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. UPI/Bill Greenblatt

Parade goers hold signs along the route, thanking veterans of all wars in St. Louis on January 28, 2012. Thousands of people lined a parade route in downtown St. Louis for the nation's first parade to honor those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. UPI/Bill Greenblatt

A young girl holds a sign supporting fighting men and women veterans during a parade in St. Louis on January 28, 2012. Thousands of people lined a parade route in downtown St. Louis for the nation's first parade to honor those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. UPI/Bill Greenblatt