Two New York City councilmen are determined to host a welcome home parade for soldiers who served in Iraq, just like the city did after the first Gulf War. “We all love our veterans and we all should honor them and say what a great job they did and memorialize those who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said Staten Island’s Republican Councilman Vincent Ignizio. Private donations covered much of the $5.2 million in costs for the the last war parade at the “Canyon of Heroes.” Republican James Oddo said, “To have a chance to honor them, I, for one, would want to be there to see the looks on their faces as the adulation sort of reverberates down that canyon.” Military officials are less convinced that a public display is a good idea because a perceived victory celebration could endanger troops around the world. Discussions between Washington and the mayor’s office are ongoing.
