Politics

FOURTH_070414

Chelsea Burnham, 18, from Gorham, Ma. helps guide a balloon to the parade staging area during the National 4th of July Parade in Washington D.C. .(Raymond Thompson/The Washington Times)

FOURTH_070413

A balloon is guided to the parade staging area during the National 4th of July Parade in Washington D.C. .(Raymond Thompson/The Washington Times)

A re-enactor portraying George Washington speaks to candidates for naturalization during a naturalization ceremony at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate in Alexandria, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

FOURTH_070403

Taylor Shelby, center, portrays Dolly Madison saving the portrait of George Washington, played by Paul Luks, as another actor sets fire to the White House prop in a rehearsal for a play outlining the history of the United States, specifically the war of 1812, on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, in Staunton, Va. (AP Photo/The Daily News Leader, Pat Jarrett)

FOURTH_070401

Kymi Dungy, 16, a member of the Gilbert High School color guard warms-up before the start of the National 4th of July Parade on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, in Washington D.C. .(Raymond Thompson/The Washington Times)

FIREWORKS_20120704_017.jpg

Fireworks can be seen as they explode over the National Mall to celebrate Independence Day, Arlington, Va., Wednesday, July 4, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

FIREWORKS_20120704_014.jpg

Fireworks can be seen from the Top of the Town in Arlington as they explode over the National Mall to celebrate Independence Day on Wednesday, July 4, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

20120704-212708-pic-907419770.jpg

** FILE ** Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington D.C., Wednesday, July 4, 2012. Wuerl is the archbishop of the Washington area. (Ryan M.L. Young/The Washington Times)

PALISADES_070413

People watch the parade pass by from a home on MacArthur Blvd. NW, during the 46th Annual Palisades Parade and Picnic in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, July 4, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

PALISADES_070409

Interim D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson (center) greets people in the crowd before walking in the 46th Annual Palisades Parade and Picnic. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

PALISADES_070408

Asher Stroh, 1, of Washington, D.C., waits in the wagon to be led into the 46th Annual Palisades Parade and Picnic. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

PALISADES_070405

D.C. Council Member Vincent Orange tosses strands of beads into the crowd. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

PALISADES_070404

D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray carries throws for people in the crowd as he begins his walk in the 46th Annual Palisades Parade and Picnic. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

PALISADES_070403

D.C. Council Member Michael A. Brown greets people along the parade route. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

20120704-212103-pic-253398753.jpg

D.C. Council member Michael A. Brown (right), at-large independent, and D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray (far right), a Democrat, take part in the nonpartisan parade, in the Northwest neighborhood of Palisades.

20120704-212103-pic-337900425.jpg

D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray carries throws for people in the crowd as he begins his walk in the 46th Annual Palisades Parade and Picnic in Washington on Wednesday, July 4, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

20120704-211854-pic-883825946.jpg

Members of Washington's Chinese-American communities prepare to perform during the National Independence Day Parade on Constitution Avenue. The annual parade also included floats, marching bands from around the country and military units.

20120704-211854-pic-230546345.jpg

A crowd lines Constitution Avenue for the National Independence Day Parade, part of a day of celebration that included fireworks preceded by a Capitol concert. (Raymond Thompson/The Washington Times)

20120704-211350-pic-278885272.jpg

Army Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Heilman works through a combat scenario at Fort Eustis in Virginia. Staff Sgt. Heilman on Friday was named Army's Drill Sergeant of the Year after being evaluated by the Army's Training and Doctrine Command. (Associated Press)