AUSTIN -- Saturday morning Austin had the chance to say thank you to those who put their lives on the line to serve the county half a world away.
"We need to embrace them, and what they do and for what they've done," a parade attendee said.
"I got back last week," said Staff Sergeant Carl Haas with the U.S. Army.
Over the past 17 years, Haas has done plenty.
"Iraq -- three tours," Haas said. "Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo. I've been doing it awhile."
The welcome home Iraq Veterans Committee put on the parade for veterans like Haas. What brought Haas out was the chance to help welcome brothers and sisters back home.
"You miss a year of a child's life," Haas said. "You miss a year of your wife or significant other, girlfriend, boyfriend. Whatever you miss a year of that time together."
"I think there's a definite need for guys to come back and feel that they're wanted," U.S. Marine Demetrius Brown said.
There were no parades with hot rods or city leaders when Brown came home.
"It was kind of difficult, but the services are out there," Brown said. "The support is out there, and I think it's a great cause what they're doing here."
That's because the parade put veterans in touch with agencies looking to help. Even by himself, Brown stood by ready.
"If any vet needs help, if I have any kind of resources, I'm definitely going to get out there and try and help them no matter what," Brown said.
