1,700 troops will support Trump 'Salute to America' celebrations July 4: Pentagon

The Pentagon announced Saturday that roughly 1,700 service members will be involved in the federal government’s upcoming July 4 celebrations.

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper approved a request from the Department of the Interior for defense officials to “support to the 2020 Salute to America,” on July 4, according to a Saturday statement.

Trump’s 2019 expanded Independence Day commemorations were dubbed a “Salute to America.” The celebrations this year will also bare this name.

This year’s celebrations will include a flyover of Mount Rushmore, in addition to an “areal salute” in cities that “played roles in the American Revolution,” beginning in Boston and proceeding to New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D. C., according to the Saturday statement.

The Defense Department will also “provide aerial, musical and ceremonial support” for the commemoration.

The Pentagon said Saturday that the flyovers are "an opportunity for DoD to demonstrate the capabilities and professionalism of the United States Armed Forces."

Independence Day celebrations last year included flyovers by the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, B-2 stealth bomber, and F-22 Raptor, USA Today reported. Trump’s expanded Fourth of July celebrations last year doubled the cost of previous years, using $13 million in taxpayer funds, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Off... (Read more)

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