Afghanistan was the Main Mission and that was abandoned to invade and occupy Iraq using the aftermath of 9/11 to justify! Soldiers of many countries are still trying to get back to that Main Mission and the promises made to the Afghans. Parades for the masses to wave their flags of patriotism, and yet no sacrifice nor demand for themselves, should be after the now ongoing draw down in Afghanistan is complete and those soldiers are home!
Feb. 8, 2012 – Pentagon officials say they’re all for a “New York-style tickertape parade” honoring combat troops who served in Iraq, but bowing to the military leadership’s wishes, agree that the best time to do so is after all combat troops have returned home from Afghanistan as well.
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Douglas B. Wilson told Lynn Neary of NPR’s “Talk of the Town” program the Defense Department fully supports homecoming celebrations for Iraq War veterans.
St. Louis hosted a parade last month that drew an estimated 20,000 participants and 100,000 spectators. Some 15 more cities are considering similar parades.
“The event in St. Louis was terrific, and it was something that we applaud and we know that there will be more of,” Wilson said.
Wilson said there’s always been interest in a national-level celebration to honor troops returned from Iraq. “The question was not whether to have a parade, but when to do so,” he said.
Based on input from the military, Wilson said, the sentiment is that now is too soon, particularly because many Iraq War veterans now are deployed to Afghanistan. The consensus, he said, was that “that kind of event should wait and that it would be more appropriately held when combat troops were coming home.” read more>>>
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