Phoenix celebrates end of Iraq War
The band performed at an event to celebrate the end of the Iraq War.
Photographer: ABC15
Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Posted: 12/18/2011
PHOENIX - On the day the last U.S. soldiers left Iraq, marking an end to the conflict, high-fives and jubilation filled a party in Phoenix.
The American Veterans Post 65 threw a “Welcome Home” celebration and free concert, Sunday. The event was in honor of the troops now returning from the nearly 9-year long war.
The Loose Cannons Blues Band performed for the happy crowd. Many call the war’s end a well-deserved, early Christmas present.
The festivities were not just to thank all of the heroes coming home, but also to honor everyone who did not make it home.
Nearly 4,500 U.S. Armed Forces members died in the Iraq War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, since the conflict began in 2003. About 100 of those killed were Arizonans.
United States' tax payers have spent more than $800 billion on the war in Iraq.
The event was taking donations from those who were in attendance. Party organizers say the money will go to programs that support U.S. veterans.
Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
PRINT
Did You Hear?
-
Singer: McDonald's ruined my voice
Jacqueline Simpson, 52, is suing the restaurant chain over a piece of glass she bit into while eating a chicken sandwich.
-
VIDEO: Wife dumps beer on husband
A man who was trying to protect his wife from a home run ball got a face full of beer for his effort.
-
Happy 140th Birthday, blue jeans
Jim Heston, an American guesthouse operator in Cambodia, has lived a life in denim and has the photos to prove it. There were the dungarees he wore as a little boy, the dark bell-bottoms he had on for a hike up Japan's Mount Fuji, and the Levis straight-leg 501 jeans he's stayed with for the past 36 years.
-
More Central Phoenix News
-
Solar powered plane takes off from PHX
A one-of-a-kind solar powered airplane left Sky Harbor airport Wednesday morning on a world record attempt.
-
Should Arias get the death penalty?
-
RAW: Arias talks 1-on-1 with ABC15
-
Jury now deliberating death for Arias
-
PHX food bank sending donations to OK
-
BBQ for fallen PHX officer, firefighter
- LIVE Trends on ABC15.com
