Soldiers from the Georgia National Guard line the street before the Salute 2 America parade in Atlanta, July 4, 2006, as they are welcomed home from a yearlong tour in war-torn Iraq. (Georgia National Guard photo by Spc. Amanda Luksic)

Story By. Spc. Amanda Luksic
Georgia National Guard
Public affairs office

ATLANTA, Ga., July 4, 2006, -- Just minutes before the WSB-TV 46th annual Salute 2 America parade Brig. Gen. Stewart Rodeheaver, commander 48th Brigade Combat Team, lead 200 48th Brigade Soldiers and others from 78th Troop Command to the start of the parade route.

A standing ovation from the throng gathered along Peachtree Street and in the reviewing stands greeted Guardsmen.

Prior to the parade’s official start Gov. Sonny Perdue -- with the help of BG Rodeheaver -- attached Iraq campaign streamers to the Brigade Battle Flag and two battalion flags.

The theme of this year’s parade focused on these seasoned war veterans who have recently returned from a yearlong deployment to war-torn Iraq.

This year’s parade also featured a Humvees similar to those used in Iraq, a five-ton truck, a M-2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle and an M109AG Paladin self-propelled 155mm howitzer.

Parade Salutes 48th, Georgia National Guard

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At left Governor Sonny Perdue and Brig. Gen. Stewart Rodeheaver, commander 48th Brigade, attach an Iraq battle streamer to the brigade battle flag at a ceremony before the Salute 2 America parade in Atlanta, July 4, 2006. Above a Paladin 155mm self-propelled howitzer rolls down Peachtree Street during the Salute 2 America Parade.(Georgia National Guard photos by Spc. Amanda Luksic and Photo taken by SGT Gerald Hone, 781^st HHD Troop Command )