With the city set to host a ticker-tape parade for the women’s World Cup soccer champions Friday, questions continue as to when a parade might be held to thank and honor the U.S. troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
With combat operations officially over in both countries, a spokeswoman for Mayor de Blasio said City Hall is working with the Department of Defense about “logistics and timing of this event.”
Other politicians have joined the mayor's call for a parade to honor the troops, including Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Rep. Peter King (R-NY) and Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ).
“Mayor de Blasio and Sen. Schumer are committed to hosting a parade in New York City to honor the brave veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan who have sacrificed to keep our country safe,” Monica Klein, deputy press secretary for the mayor, said.
While combat operations officially ended in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2012 and the end of 2014, respectively, U.S. troops remain in Afghanistan in support and training roles. Officials involved in the discussion about hosting a parade point out the U.S. military is now busy conducting air strikes in Syria and Iraq against the ISIS terrorists who have been seizing territory for the past year.
The Pentagon issued a statement indicating now is not the time for a ticker-tape parade to thank and honor the troops.
“We deeply appreciate New York’s desire to host a parade honoring our service members who have participated in operation in Iraq and Afghanistan and look forward to working with New York leadership on that parade at an appropriate future date,” said Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Tom Crosson.
