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Washington So Far Wary Of 'Canyon Of Heroes' Parade To Honor Iraq War Veterans

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Now that the war in Iraq is officially over two local lawmakers are calling on New York City to honor those who fought there with a ticker tape parade down the "Canyon of Heroes."

But, as CBS 2's Marcia Kramer reports, there seems to be some resistance in Washington.

After the first Gulf War the city honored the men and women who fought there with a parade.

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Now, two Staten Island councilmen want to do the same thing for those who participated in "Operation: Iraqi Freedom."

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"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 Republican Councilman Vincent Ignizio.

"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," added fellow Republican James Oddo.

"I think it would be an amazing thing."

The parade for the first Gulf War cost the city $5.2 million, most of which was covered by private donations. The councilmen said the same thing should be done here. The idea is getting huge support from veterans.

"They deserve it. What they've done for us, keeping us protected and safe, I think it should be done. They would appreciate it. A lot of veterans would appreciate it," retired Marine Denis Tobin said.

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Jack Semich runs the Staten Island Homeport Project, which for the past nine years has sent care packages to men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Let's consider what they've done here. I mean they have stepped out in front of harm's way and served. Some of them have been back there six and seven times. That's more time than most World War II veterans spent in battle," Semich said.

"We should step up and tell them were proud of you."

Sources told Kramer that the mayor's office has been in talks with the Pentagon about a parade, but military officials are afraid that a celebration in the Canyon of Heroes could seem like a victory dance that could endanger out troops in other parts of the world.

Negotiations between NYC and the Pentagon are on-going.

We'd like to know what you think of the idea. Take our poll, and sound off in our comments section below.

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