Ripley Homecoming Parade

When the armistice was signed in November 1918, the United States immediately set into motion the processes for returning veterans. In many respects, the same problems faced by America upon its entrance into the Great War would still present problems when the war ended.
There was certainly no precedent for the huge influx back into American society of the millions of veterans that had served both overseas and in the stateside armed forces. The War Department embarked on important measures to ensure a smooth transition of former soldiers. Like the previous localized draft boards, regional demobilization centers were responsible for the handling of veterans’ affairs from transport to local bases nearest to their homes to organizing parades and celebrations. Hometown parades and festivities were accepted as central to the re-integration of servicemen back into society. As many veterans as possible were encouraged to participate and local boards sought to incorporate as many hometown memorials as they could. As units were brought home in total, there were fears of a bottleneck of unemployed soldiers flooding labor markets. However, the work of the army to ensure prospects for employment for veterans made the transition easier.
The patriotic spirit that helped prepare the United States for war continued in the early years immediately after the war as millions of soldiers were welcomed home as heroes and their service memorialized in many localities across the country.

How are soldiers honored for their service and sacrifice?

Describe the scene in the photograph and explain how the soldiers are being honored.