UPDATED JAN. 26, 2012 -- The "Welcome Home The Heroes" parade begins at noon on Saturday Jan. 28, 2012, from Kiener Plaza. The parade proceeds west on Market Street and concludes at St. Louis Union Station.

More than 100 units will be marching in the parade, said Tom Appelbaum, one of the parade's organizers. The parade will include veterans groups, local companies who have created floats, post-9/11 veterans and their families, military organizations and the Patriot Guard Riders.

"We would love to see the streets lined with kids hold posters for specific vets they'd like to welcome home," Appelbaum said. "If you're a vet or a family member of a post-9/11 vet, please visit www.january28.org."

JAN. 20, 2012 -- Volunteers joined by a common mission of thanking Iraq War veterans are organizing a "Welcome Home The Heroes" parade in the streets of downtown St. Louis on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

The parade, the first of its kind in the U.S. to honor Iraq veterans, starts at noon. The detailed route has yet to be announced but will be along Market Street. St. Louis Union Station will host a Veterans' Resource Village from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In what usually takes months if not years to organize and plan, volunteers are pulling together in just 30 days. The group is currently recruiting additional volunteers and donations. To get involved, visit The Mission Continues website or the event's Facebook group.

As more details become available about the parade route, floats, entertainment and resources, we will update this story.

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