EVERETT — Everett’s Iraqi community will be part of the parade welcoming the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln back to Naval Station Everett, the city announced Tuesday.
The city is throwing a downtown parade for the Lincoln’s sailors on the Saturday following the carrier’s return. The Navy has still not released a specific arrival date, but the carrier is expected to return the week of May 4. If that happens, the parade would be May 10.
Snohomish County has one of the largest Iraqi populations on the West Coast. When Baghdad fell on April 9, dozens of Iraqis celebrated by dancing and cheering in the streets of downtown Everett.
City spokeswoman Kate Reardon said that celebration has stuck in the minds of Everett officials.
"When we saw our Iraqi community celebrating, that reminded us we have a very strong community of Iraqis here who very much value the American people, the sailors and their community," she said. "Knowing that Operation Iraqi Freedom meant so much to them and how they want to thank the Navy sailors who participated in this, we felt very strongly about including them in this celebration."
Iraqi refugee Adil Rikabi of Everett said he plans to march in the parade.
"This is a chance for me to say thank you to the United States military for freeing our country from a bad, fascist system, from a dictator," he said.
"Someone built a home for me," said Rikabi, who plans to one day return to Iraq to live permanently, "and I want to say thank you."
Reardon said that although the city is looking forward to thousands of people lining downtown streets to welcome the sailors home, participation in the parade will be somewhat limited, with top Navy officials, sailors and their families, Navy and high school bands and a group of bagpipers among the marchers.
Reporter David Olson: 425-339-3452 or dolson@heraldnet.com.
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