It seems that the New York Fire Department will be missing some marchers today when the parade heads up 5th Avenue. Some firemen have decided not to march in protest at a recent order banning the wearing of the green berets during the parade.
I have some sympathy with Chief Peter Hayden, but this is one of those issues that surely could have been resolved with a bit of communication, reasonableness and give and take. Of course, reasonableness and give & take are rarely found in any dispute involving the Irish or Irish-Americans, particularly when the issue seems especially ridiculous.
