People and Politics by Patrick Roberts

Iraq's Saint Patrick's Day Parade beats the odds

Posted on Friday, March 12, 2010 at 05:17 PM

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As parades went, it was the most unusual in American military history.

The river Tigris did not run green, but several hundred US troops turned out last year for a Baghdad Saint Patrick's Day parade.

There are plan to march again this year, but for security reasons, of course, nobody is saying exactly when.

Last year, 1st Sergeant Scott McWilliams, a native of Chicago's South Side, was the instigator and he got the Army's permission.

"They don't have too many Irish out here," he told AFP press, "although there are a few."

The parade took place, where else, in the Green Zone -- and while there was no Guinness, there was plenty of Irish songs and laughter.

Participants clad in mock-Irish green performed two laps of the Green Zone , handing out green trinkets and other paraphernalia to loud applause.

Chicago parade organizers had sent the Irish trinkets and flags to them.

"I think it's a great day, a little time-out. It's about camaraderie, a touch of home here in Iraq, a little bit of America," said one soldier.

Air Force Major Aaron Judge drank a fizzy green liquid from a plastic glass.

"I'm dreaming of other things. It's green near-beer," he grinned. "This takes off the stress -- it's a lot of fun."

Local Iraqis were bemused.

"I don't know what is happening," admitted 26-year-old Khalid Walid Ali, who worked as a storage man.

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Derrylass627 | Mar 15, 2010, 09:27 AM EDT

It's great that our troops can take a little time to celebrate St. Pat's day and enjoy a bit of home! How cool is it that Chicago sent the trinkets, etc. for the "parade". Hope they will be home in future St. Pat's days.

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fuzzyone49 | Mar 14, 2010, 04:33 PM EDT

Great that the boys could celebrate but Rebel should have his say, just like anyone else. AJreaper needs to know that AMERICA put Saddam in power and he did what he was told. "Oil" the God of many.

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kickstar | Mar 13, 2010, 05:15 PM EST

Why would a bunch of muslims be interested in saint patrick

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Ajreaper | Mar 13, 2010, 10:41 AM EST

Rebel if you can show where you voiced your displeasure over Saddam gassing his own people and the like I can accept your comment otherwise put a lid on it. Wouldn't be a bad thing if Iraq celebrated St. Pats day in the future would it?

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Rebelforce | Mar 13, 2010, 09:35 AM EST

AMERICA GET OUT OF IRAQ.

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