Pentagon Postponing President Trump's Military Parade
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By Barbara Starr and Clare Foran, CNN
(CNN) -- The Department of Defense says the military parade originally scheduled for Veterans Day will be postponed.
"The Department of Defense and White House have been planning a parade to honor America's military veterans and commemorate the centennial of World War I," Defense Department spokesman Col. Rob Manning said in a statement Thursday. "We originally targeted November 10, 2018 for this event but have now agreed to explore opportunities in 2019."
The parade was scheduled for the day before the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended the First World War. French President Emmanuel Macron is holding a gathering of world leaders in Paris on Nov. 11 to celebrate the anniversary.
CNN previously reported that the parade would focus on celebrating veterans and involve US troops in period uniforms as well as U.S. military aircraft but no heavy vehicles like tanks in order to prevent damage to infrastructure.
The price tag of the proposed parade has sparked criticism. On Thursday, the American Legion reacted to reports that the parade could cost tens of millions more than originally expected by saying the money would be better spent in other ways.
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"The American Legion appreciates that our President wants to show in a dramatic fashion our nation's support for our troops," American Legion national commander Denise Rohan said in a statement. "However, until such time as we can celebrate victory in the War on Terrorism and bring our military home, we think the parade money would be better spent fully funding the Department of Veteran Affairs and giving our troops and their families the best care possible."
Trump said in February that a military parade in Washington would be "great for the spirit of the country," but that it would need to come at a "reasonable cost." The President said he was inspired by the Bastille Day parade in France, which he described as "quite something" after attending in 2017.
The-CNN-Wire
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