Veterans of Iraq War Also Deserve Parade in New York City

When Gulf War veterans came home and marched in parades in their honor, Vietnam veterans cried because it was something they never had. Now, they are honored and respected but no one can undo what should have been done back then. Don't let these veterans regret honor coming too late for them.

Veterans of Iraq War Also Deserve Parade in City, Some Argue
By KATE TAYLOR
Published: February 6, 2012

The New York Giants on Tuesday will be showered with confetti and greeted by throngs as they are feted with the city’s most storied honor: a parade through its Canyon of Heroes.


But all the fanfare — the parade this week is the fourth since 2000 to honor a sports team — has touched off anger and unease among some returned Iraq veterans, who are eagerly awaiting their own recognition.

“Everybody recognizes that the Giants deserve a parade,” said Paul Rieckhoff, founder and executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. But, he added, “If a football team gets a parade, shouldn’t our veterans?”

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, who has long expressed his regret that the United States did not do a better job honoring veterans of the Vietnam War in the 1970s, has cited advice from the Pentagon in deciding it was not appropriate to hold a parade while American soldiers are still fighting in Afghanistan.

But a growing coalition of veterans, elected officials and other public figures are disagreeing, saying it is time to celebrate the men and women who served in Iraq.
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