Thousands cheer Marines returning from Iraq

More than 11,000 Marines and sailors marched through downtown Saturday as thousands of people welcomed home the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force based at Camp Pendleton.

Leonie Tremaine, a member of the North County Coalition for Peace and Justice, which helped organize the rally, said demonstrators wanted to bring the troops home.

"This is an illegal war," Tremaine said.

About 30 war protesters brought up the rear of the parade, and drew jeers and howls from some onlookers. They were escorted by police officers on motorcycles.

"Go home!" Oreta Rhodes of Oceanside screamed. "This is a Marine Corps town. Go to Iraq. Go take a bullet in Iraq."

EL - More Republican civil discourse.