New Yorkers may be celebrating the New York Giants Super Bowl win in the streets today, but Councilman Vinnie Gentile, who sits on the Council’s Committee on Veterans, is asking why New York City isn’t hosting a parade for returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan as well.
“I think we can all agree that the New York Giants deserve a parade for winning the Super Bowl,” he said in a statement. “I’ll be there today cheering them on along with everyone else. But if a football team gets a parade, shouldn’t our veterans? Are they not the real giants here?”
Mr. Gentile joins a number of others in calling for a parade honoring these veterans, but Mayor Michael Bloomberg doesn’t currently seem inclined to push for the parade. He cites a request from military officials concerned about a celebration while troops are still in harm’s way abroad.
However, given the popularity of honoring veterans, the calls for the parade could continue to grow.
“Not only is it the right thing to do,” Mr. Gentile added. “it’s the least we can do for these brave men and women to honor the sacrifices they’ve made to protect our freedom abroad.”
