![\"Schumer](\"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Schumer-parade-boy-300x158.jpg\")
<\/a><\/center><\/p>\nChuckie Schumer, the US Senator who voted for cuts to the growth of earned benefits for veterans, widows and military retirees is lobbying in New York City for a “welcome home” parade for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars according to the New York Post<\/a>. Of course, socialist mayor of New York City, Bill deBlasio is on board;<\/p>\n \u201cSenator Schumer … is very hopeful that we can get this done after combat operations in Afghanistan are complete,\u201d said his spokeswoman Meredith Kelly.<\/p>\n U.S. troops are expected to withdraw fully from Afghanistan by the end of 2014.<\/p>\n Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the planning must begin right away if there is to be a parade featuring military brass, color guards, bands and flyovers.<\/p>\n He\u2019s already got the support of Mayor de Blasio for a bells-and-whistles procession.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Somehow, slashing their benefits, jacking up their healthcare costs and not giving them the tools and means to accomplish their military goals is all balanced by a parade. I’ll just let Senator Schumer know that parades are for politicians, not for the troops. The troops hate parades, of course, we appreciate the sentiment, but parades aren’t for us. They’re for people who want to feel better about the way they treat the troops while they were engaged. <\/p>\n And, oh, by the way, combat operations may end for US troops, but they won’t end for the Afghan government. The war isn’t really over, so don’t pretend that it ended. You people unilaterally decided that the war was over, the enemy hasn’t ended their combat operations.<\/p>\n As if we needed another reason to oppose the idea;<\/p>\n \u201cAs the last troops return from Afghanistan, our community faces critical challenges, including high rates of suicide and unemployment,\u201d said CEO Paul Rieckhoff.<\/p>\n \u201cWe hope a parade in New York City shines a spotlight on the sacrifices of veterans, galvanizes public support and inspires other cities to follow,\u201d he said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The troops don’t need a spotlight, Rieckhoff, they need jobs and the health benefits they earned. Like I said, parades are for politicians, and Paul Rieckhoff is just another politician. Parades are easy, the real problems veterans face, not so much.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"