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April 12, 2013
Fort Bragg Forced To Cancel 30 Year Tradition of Fourth Of July Celebration Because Of Obama's Sequester Cuts
Fort Bragg Forced To Cancel Fourth Of July Celebration Because Of Sequester Cuts
Fort Bragg is canceling its July 4th celebration on the Main Post Parade Field because of budget cuts and worker furloughs.
The event – a tradition for more than 30 years – usually attracts 50,000 people and includes what many believe to be among the best fireworks shows in the region.
“Our reduced operating budget for the remainder of this year forces many very tough decisions,” said Lt. Gen. Daniel B. Allyn, commanding general of 18th Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, in a statement this morning. “With overtime pay costs of $120,000, the 4th of July celebration is unsupportable under these fiscal realities. With a pending civilian workforce furlough and a 34 percent operational budget cut, we’re prioritizing our services to ensure our readiness and care of service members, civilians and families.”
The announcement came as a surprise to many at Fort Bragg and surrounding community. It also kick-started efforts to save the event.
"Everyone understands we're not upset at Fort Bragg," said Courtney Boyce, a military wife and member of the Facebook group Operation Save Fourth of July. "We understand why they're doing it, but it doesn't take away from the disappointment. This is what makes Fort Bragg Fort Bragg. It's not just local. . It's like taking a piece of history."
Annual tradition
Fort Bragg's Independence Day celebration at the Main Post Parade Field and its fireworks show have become an annual tradition for many who live in the region or have ties to the post. It often attracts national music acts, including Charlie Daniels, Colt Ford, Little Big Town and Gloriana.
It has been held for more than 30 years, McCollum said.
"We know that it is a major draw to this region of North Carolina," he said. "We know it is a very emotional decision, especially for people in this region."
Lt. Gen. Daniel B. Allyn, commanding general of the 18th Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, said the reduced operating budget has called for many tough decisions.
Allyn said the July Fourth event was "unsupportable under these fiscal realities."
"With a pending civilian workforce furlough and a 34 percent operational budget cut, we're prioritizing our services to ensure our readiness and care of service members, civilians and families," Allyn said in a statement.
Hundreds have complained on social media.
Jessica Ruopp, whose husband serves in the 82nd Airborne Division, said her family is devastated by the news.
Last year was her first on Fort Bragg and with her husband in Afghanistan, she took her family to the Fourth festivities.
"We had a blast," she said.
Ruopp said she would be willing to do away with celebrity bands and food and drink vendors if it meant saving the event.
"I think this cancellation is a travesty. Celebrating our country's freedom (on a military base no less) reminds us what our spouses are fighting for," Ruopp said in an email. "I remember watching the fireworks last year with a sense of pride and adoration for my deployed husband. I so wished he had been there to see the gorgeous display of fireworks, but I understood why he could not be."
McCollum said the decision was necessary to fill other budget shortfalls.
"We've had to make a number of cuts on the post, but maintaining our primary mission - which the primary mission is to train, deploy, recover our soldiers from combat operations and to take care of their families - that'll always be our number one priority on this installation," McCollum said.
Wild Thing's comment..................
Asshole Obama, damn him.
Posted by Wild Thing at April 12, 2013 12:50 AM
Comments
One hour of flight time for Air Force One and the supporting aircraft would more than pay for a dozen of these parades.
Posted by: BobF at April 12, 2013 07:34 AM
