The 4th of July fireworks celebrations have been canceled at a number of military bases across the United States because of the federal sequestration budget cuts and federal employee furloughs.
According to the Washington Post , the annual 4th of July fireworks display has been canceled at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base in North Carolina, the Army’s Fort Bragg, also in that state, and the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany, Georgia.
The cuts weren’t entirely surprising. In April, the US Navy called a sudden halt to the Blue Angels 2013 performance season because of the budget cuts — forcing them to cancel multiple shows that were already scheduled .
According to an Associated Press report, the 4th of July celebration at Camp Lejeune in 2012 cost the base around $100,000 — with $25,000 going for the cost of the fireworks alone. Brig. Gen. Thomas Gorry said that the base simply couldn’t justify the expense at a time when federal workers are being furloughed and going without pay.
Although his argument seems reasonable, some people are angry about the canceled fireworks.
And people on both sides are not happy. Here’s a bit of the exchange on Twitter:
Obama Spends $100M on African Trip but July 4th fireworks furloughed at military bases http://t.co/v8ueKa2K7A The Grinch stealing Christmas!
— Dee (@DeeC748) July 1, 2013
“ @gnuman1979 : Fourth Of July Fireworks Scrapped At Military Bases http://t.co/XgZ1x164FH” Thanks to the Boehner sequester. Good job, GOP.
— Liberal Lore (@Britpoptarts) July 1, 2013
Then again some of us are just as happy without the fireworks. Our pets hate ’em, and wildlife isn’t too crazy about the noise either.
Speaking strictly for myself, I’ve never been real clear on the relationship between blasting out my eardrums and celebrating our nation’s independence.
So sound off in the comments and let me know your thoughts. How do you feel about the 4th of July fireworks being scrapped?
[fireworks by Jon Sullivan via Wikimedia ]