Beres: Virginia, we can do this!

Ten years. Our military forces have been on a war footing for 10 long years. And during that time, civilian America has gone about its business, immersed in concerns of everyday life. Yes, we've stopped for a few moments at the appropriate times to cheer a Medal of Honor recipient or grieve at photos of flag-draped coffins. But we've never really thanked the rest of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen for what they've been through. And we should.

They did exactly that in St. Louis last month. It all came about because of a casual after-dinner conversation among three people, LaDonna and Tom Applebaum and a friend, Craig Schneider. They were sorely disappointed at the lack of fanfare shown to the thousands of military members returning from Iraq. The trio — none of them veterans — decided then and there to throw a parade. And out of that dinner conversation grew a grassroots effort that less than one month later resulted in a Welcome Home Parade involving 20,000 participants and more than 100,000 onlookers.

The parade was a smashing success and received national attention. Military units and veterans groups from across the country participated. "It was an idea that nobody said no to. America was ready for this," Schneider told reporters.

Virginia is ready for this, too. The Old Dominion is home to the world's largest naval base in Norfolk, several key military bases (not to mention the Pentagon) in Northern and Central Virginia, and Fort Lee in Richmond's own backyard. Virginians are more than aware than most Americans of the huge debt of gratitude we owe the men and women of our United States armed forces. For the most part, we are quick to say thank you when we get the opportunity.

But we can do more. On Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 19, we can stop what we're doing for one day and give our returning heroes a welcome they won't soon forget. Recently, The Times-Dispatch ran the editorial, "Our Turn," suggesting that we do something for our troops. It was enthusiastically received, and a seed was sown.

We can do this. The Richmond region can hold events like no one's business. There's enough Southern hospitality and Yankee know-how around here to make this happen. Mayor Dwight Jones has graciously offered the city as a venue for the parade. The governor's office has expressed great interest. The Richmond Council Navy League has agreed to oversee organization of the event. Numerous veterans groups and military organizations have stepped up to the plate.

The politics of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars is not the issue here. This is about thanking the men and women who have seen two, three or four deployments to faraway places. It's an opportunity to show our appreciation to folks who have missed Christmases and weddings and even the births of their children so that our families can sleep safely at night.

Some have suggested that it is not yet time for a parade because there are still troops in Afghanistan. They are wrong. It has been an entire decade since the war on terror began. We are way beyond being tardy on a heart-felt thank you. In reality, all of our troops will never be home. We will always have men and women stationed far away, for as surely as one spot cools down, another hot spot will erupt demanding American boots on the ground.

Visit our Facebook page at Richmond's Welcome Home Our Military Parade for more information. Go to the Welcome Home Foundation's website, www.americaforvets.org. There is a link to Home Cities that will direct you to Richmond's page. Please visit and donate whatever you can. Parades, like freedom, are not free. This one cannot happen without your help.

Our troops have done so much for us — now let's thank them.