Iraq War Vets Parade Fundraiser to be Held Tuesday

Flatbread is holding a fundraising event for the “Welcome Home” parade, to mark the end of the war in Iraq.

On Tuesday, June 5, from 5 to 9 p.m., Flatbread will donate $3.50 for each large flatbread pizza and $1.75 for each small pizza sold during this time to the “Welcome Home” parade committee so various costs can be covered. 

“We are asking for community support and participation in this unique event," says, Josh Denton, Iraq veteran and coordinator of the parade. “Flatbread is supporting the parade and we are grateful for this,” Denton says. In addition, raffle tickets will be sold by recent veterans at the door to win gift certificates to various Portsmouth establishments. 

Portsmouth is the first city or town in New Hampshire, and possibly New England, to schedule such an event, says Denton.   Portsmouth citizens joined with the city to co-sponsor the parade celebrating the return of U.S. military personnel from Iraq by thanking the returning veterans from both Afghanistan and Iraq and everyone who supported them during their deployment.

"The Iraq war has officially ended, and this generation of veterans deserves to be welcomed home with the same fanfare as generations in the past. That is why we welcome everyone to participate and make this a positive community parade,” he says.

The parade is planned for Sunday, July 8, 2012 and will be held in downtown Portsmouth. The Veterans Administration, Denton said, plans to be in place at the conclusion of the parade to inform returning veterans about benefits and services they have earned.  Denton is also encouraging businesses to participate in a jobs fair to help recent veterans in need of work find it.

Flatbread is located at 138 Congress Street in Portsmouth, just three blocks up Congress Street and on the left coming from Market Square.

Members of the parade steering committee are: Josh Denton, president/coordinator for veterans groups and services, 553-1810, Joshuaddenton@hotmail.com; Martin Cameron, vice president/coordinator for community groups/individual registration, 431-7977, mcame038@myfairpoint.net; and Harold Whitehouse, outreach coordinator/coordinator for bands and entertainment, 436-8485.

Submitted by Jennifer Zorn, McFarland Johnson, Portsmouth.