Defense Secretary Dick Cheney and White House chief of staff John H. Sununu attended a celebration in Baton Rouge, La., for Louisiana's returning veterans.
"Because of our armed forces, Kuwait is free, aggression has been defeated and the world has been reminded of America's commitment," Cheney said.
More than 2,200 active-duty and reserve soldiers marched in San Francisco's parade, which included a 21-gun salute and a parachute jump. Several times, anti-war demonstrators and war supporters exchanged sharp words and occasional punches.
"I'm disgusted. They can go live in Russia and Iraq," spectator Pam Einerson said of the protesters. 'They don't know what freedom is."
Marine Sgt. Howard Haynes, one of the parade's grand marshals and a gulf war veteran, said: "They don't bother me. They do their own thing, I do my own thing."
Twelve people were arrested on misdemeanor charges ranging from throwing objects at police officers to climbing aboard military vehicles, police Cmdr. Richard Shippey said.
Support for the military was overwhelming at the parades, however.
In El Toro, a crowd estimated by Irvine police at 200,000 cheered Marines in battle fatigues in a parade outside the Marine Corps Air Station.
Combat helicopters and fighter jets roared overhead, and brisk winds caused some problems for volunteer workers who wrestled with floats depicting a Liberty Bell and Yankee Doodle.
In Georgia, troops from the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Fort Stewart marched through Savannah's historic district, cheered on by flag- waving spectators.
