No Ticker-tape Parades Planned For Returning Iraq War Vets

Below are two related articles about the White House disregarding our returning Veterans.

Obama Disrespects Our Troops
Gary Bauer, Contributing Author: Here's another disturbing report from the Associated Press: "Americans probably won't be seeing a huge ticker-tape parade anytime soon for troops returning from Iraq." Two New York City councilmen -- not surprisingly both Republicans -- are calling for a ticker-tape parade similar to one held at the end of the first Gulf War, which was paid for with private donations.

As one of the councilmen said, "The sports celebrations that we've had in New York for the Yankees and the Mets were amazing. But these are the real heroes." I agree. The Associated Press article notes, "In Washington, federal agencies take the lead on planning parades, and so far nothing is in the works." Why not?

In the 60s and 70s, left-wing radicals infamously spit on our soldiers returning home from Vietnam. Barack Obama is smarter than that. Yet his administration is not taking the initiative to organize a national salute our heroes. Perhaps he's too afraid of offending the radical left-wing base of his party as we approach the 2012 elections. But as Calvin Coolidge once said, "The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten."
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Gary Bauer is is a conservative family values advocate and serves as president of American Values and chairman of the Campaign for Working Families

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Ticker-tape parade planned for Iraq vets? Not anymore
Stars and Stripes - Leo Shane III Reporting: WASHINGTON — No ticker-tape parades or flashy nationwide tributes for returning Iraq War veterans are planned right now, but not long ago government officials were preparing a posh celebration of the returning heroes and their overseas victory.

In 2006 and 2007, Congress set aside $20 million in its annual defense budget bills for a party in the nation’s capital to honor the achievements of U.S. troops at the conclusion of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. . . .

The White House still holds that authority, but funding for the celebration was shifted elsewhere by lawmakers in early 2007, as Congress fought over whether to support President George W. Bush’s proposed “surge” of troops into Iraq.

Officials from New York and Washington this week said they’d be open to such a post-war celebration, but federal officials would have to take the lead. Pentagon spokesmen this week said they have not been instructed to plan any such events. White House officials declined comment. . . . [Full Story]

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Tags: Gary Bauer, Campaign for Working Families,Returning military, troops, President Obama, disrespecting troops, Stars and Stripes, no parade, no ticker-tape parade To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!