04/20/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/20/2021 13:17
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) today sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin demanding answers as to why the Pentagon was jeopardizing a Memorial Day tradition that has honored our nation's veterans for the past three decades.
In March, the Pentagon's Special Event Team initially sent AMVETS approval to use the Pentagon parking lot for their annual Rolling To Remember Memorial Day event only to revoke that approval a week later, citing a 'routing error' and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The event is being put at risk by the refusal of the Pentagon to approve the permit in a timely manner.
'We are blessed beyond words to be citizens of the greatest country on Earth, and only live free thanks to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice,' Rep. Mast said. 'But the Biden Administration seems intent on restricting that freedom, and now, even restricting Memorial Day ceremonies. Preventing a tradition like Rolling to Remember flies in the face of the freedoms that so many have died to protect.'
BACKGROUND
A copy of the letter that Rep. Mast can be found below: