Military Fireworks Show Cut, Even Though Local Company Volunteered To Do It For Free
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Military veterans are upset after the annual Camp Lejeune fireworks show for military members and their families was cut.
What makes it even worse: A Pittsburgh area company offered to do the show for free, but the government said, thanks, but no thanks.
The military says the show meant for more than 47-thousand Marines and Sailors was cancelled due to federal cutbacks.
"They were very appreciative, they were certainly hoping they could do it. There just aren't the funds due to sequestration."
The Zambelli Family has done the fireworks at Camp Lejeune before, and this year, after hearing they were cancelled due to federal money problems, they promised to do them for free.
The military still said no, citing additional costs besides the fireworks.
Dr. George Zambelli says the military told them, "there's a lot of costs to putting on a function like that. The funds just weren't available. They back and said it couldn't be done."
Veteran's and military families say they don't care, they consider it a slap in the face.
One local military family member said, "We're very disappointed. This is the Fourth of July we're celebrating.
You know our country, and we're celebrating our military that sacrifices for us to live in a free country.
Veteran Mark Bergman said, "It's a load of crap. We sacrifice everything, our time with our families. We dedicate ourselves to our jobs, and we do it better than anybody else in the world."
The Pentagon estimates the additional costs for a fireworks show between $50-and 75-thousand dollars.
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