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Petition: Iraq veterans deserve parade

A group of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans wants government officials to organize a National Day of Action and parades around the country to celebrate veterans of the Iraq War.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is calling on Americans to sign a petition to support the victory parades for veterans. As of late Thursday afternoon, 308 supporters had signed on.

“If the Giants and the Patriots can get a victory parade, why not Iraq veterans?” said Paul Rieckhoff, founder and executive director of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, in a statement. “This Super Bowl weekend is a critical moment to put the spotlight on our country’s real heroes. The Iraq War has ended, over one million veterans have served and over 4,400 gave their lives.”

IAVA wants President Obama, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, and mayors and government officials around the country to organize the day of action and parades.

In January, St. Louis was the first city in the nation to stage a homecoming parade for Iraq vets, and thousands turned out to show their appreciation, Rieckhoff said.