The parade, organized by Bill Staton, was meant to give soldiers the homecoming they did not get decades ago, 10TV's Glenn McEntyre reported.

"Today's soldiers. when they come home, they return with their platoon or whatever and everybody is there to meet them waiving flags," said Staton. "It's a real happy occasion. These guys never got to experience that. But today, in Shelby, I think that happened."

F-16 Air National Guard fighter jets performed a fly-over, and marching bands played for the crowd.

Veterans told 10TV it was a day they will never forget.

"I did not expect the crowd. But it sure gets you in the throat, and in the heart," said Doug Keppler.

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