PATRIOTISM, TRADITION IN STEP.(CAPITAL REGION)

Byline: DIEGO IBARGUEN Associated Press

NEW YORK -- With bombs falling on Afghanistan again and New York on high alert against a terrorist counterattack, the city held a flag-waving, red-white-and-blue Columbus Day parade Monday.

Fifth Avenue was awash in American flags and marching bands played ``God Bless America.'' The parade itself, which traditionally honors Italian-Americans, was renamed ``Columbus Day Parade Honors America.''

Mayor Rudolph Giuliani said the parade ``demonstrates that we're going ahead with our lives. We're not going to let terrorism hinder us.''

The mayor marched at various times with his friend, Judith Nathan; his …