Some of you experienced the victory of World War II. Others of us have at least seen on television old newsreel footage of the celebration of victory in Europe. Then came victory over Japan and other victory parades. There were no such celebrations after the wars in Korea and Vietnam. But after the Allied victory in the Persian Gulf we attempted to make up for all of that with tremendous celebrations and victory parades. The attention of the entire nation was fixed on General Norman Schwarzkopf, who was the man of the hour.

It is an ancient custom dating back in history to other times and other places, where kings and warriors were welcomed home with victory celebrations and parades through city gates.

It happened in Jerusalem whenever a new king ascended the throne. The people turned ou…