Actually, 90% of the crowd were there to see the fireworks show, just like they do every year. Didn't really have a problem with the military fly-overs, but I've seen much better displays at Selfridge less than a mile from my house and even at Belle Isle for the hydroplane races. Considering it was a national event, it was kind of lame.
I'll give the President credit for keeping politics out of the event, but his stiffness when reading from a teleprompter, his loose dentures, and constant stone face seemed to make the whole presentation a bit stiff. In that regard, he could take some lessons from his predecessor.
As one of the Generals said, "No one in the military wakes up wanting to be in a parade. They'd much rather be home with their family on the holiday just like you."
I also took note of the deceiving reports by various media outlets about money being taken from the Nat'l Park Fund to put towards this event. Not one mentioned that the National Mall is actually administered by the Park Service. At best, it was a simple re-allocation of funds.
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