Top military officials to join in on DC's Fourth of July celebration
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2019/07/03/top-military-officials-to-join-in-on-dcs-fourth-of-july-celebration/
Top military officials to join in on DCs Fourth of July celebration
By: Meghann Myers ? 16 hours ago
The acting defense secretary, joint chiefs chairman and other senior Pentagon leaders are slated to appear at the National Mall on Thursday for President Trumps Salute to America Independence Day celebration in Washington. There to witness the armored vehicle displays and fighter jet flyovers will be Acting Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford, Navy Secretary Richard Spencer, Acting Air Force Secretary Stephen Wilson and Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Karl Shultz, among others, will be in attendance, according to a Wednesday release from the Pentagon.
In addition, the White House provided 5,000 tickets to the Department of Defense, spokesman Tom Crosson said in a statement.
Defense Department leaders have not regularly attended presidents Fourth of July bashes in the past, which have traditionally been barbecues held at the White House for service members and their families.
Critics have accused the president of using the military as props.
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