Latest news with #FlagDay
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Hometown Hero: Marine Thomas Andrejeski honored with heartfelt surprise from Freedom High School students
FREEDOM, Wis. (WFRV) – In a heartwarming display of gratitude and community spirit, students from Freedom High School went above and beyond to give back to a local hero. This week's Hometown Hero, Thomas Andrejeski, a proud Marine Corps veteran, received a remarkable surprise that left him both speechless and grateful. Andrejeski shared his journey from military service to becoming a vital part of the Veterans Village, where he serves as a driver for fellow veterans. After dedicating years to his country, he found himself giving back to those who had also served. However, little did he know that a group of high school students had a special surprise in store for him. Hometown Heroes Special: Local 5 tributes those who made ultimate sacrifice serving our nation Jay Abitz, an automotive instructor at Freedom High School, explained the initiative funded by the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Community Impact Grant, which provided the budget to purchase a vehicle that students would then repair and donate to a veteran in need. This year, the project, named 'Freedom Wheels 3.0,' took on an even more poignant significance. The vehicle, a 2012 Chevy Malibu, was previously owned by Abitz's grandmother, a WWII Navy veteran who passed away. Freedom High School senior Jacob Martino, who played a significant role in the project, expressed the pride he felt in contributing to this meaningful cause. He recounted the lessons learned throughout the repair process, highlighting the mentorship of Mr. Abitz. Hometown Heroes: Robert Lace of Neenah selected as grand marshal for nation's oldest Flag Day parade 'There were some things in here that I did not know how to do. I did not know how to take the belt off, replace the serpentine belt, but Mr. Abitz showed me what to do and showed me how to do it, and now I know how to do it; everything else was just nuts and bolts,' he explained. 'He's essentially a second dad, like he'll teach you all the stuff you really need to know.' Martino also emphasized the importance of giving back to someone who had selflessly served the country, stating, 'It just feels good to give back to him.' Jonny Bradle, an alumnus of the program and now the owner of his own auto shop, joined the effort, excited to lend his skills to a project that meant so much to him. 'I was really excited to do this project with Jay simply because I started here when I was in high school,' he shared. 'This automotive program, I've always loved it, it made me want to go to school and do what I do today.' When Thomas learned he was the recipient of a newly refurbished car, he was overwhelmed with disbelief. Hometown Heroes: Wisconsin Blue Star Mothers serve community while their children serve the country 'There are so many scams out there nowadays, so I actually got to see things to believe it,' he remarked. The moment he laid eyes on the vehicle, painted in his favorite color, black, the shock quickly turned into joy. 'This car is going to benefit not just me but the veterans at Veterans Village in Grand Chute,' Andrejeski explained. 'I take them to their appointments for the doctor, the VA clinic, and grocery shopping, so the ones without vehicles will appreciate this.' The touching collaboration between the students, their instructors, and the local community showcases the profound impact of honoring those who have served. Freedom High School's initiative not only provides a vehicle but also reinforces the values of service, respect, and gratitude within the community. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Intercept
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Intercept
Expect Trump's Military Parade to Cost More Than the Army Says
President Donald Trump boasted on Monday that his hosting of a military parade in Washington, D.C., next month to honor the Army's 250th anniversary — coincidentally the same date as his 79th birthday — was an act of divine intervention. 'We're going to have a big, big celebration, as you know, 250 years,' he said during a Memorial Day speech at Arlington National Cemetery. 'Can you imagine? I missed that four years, and now look what I have, I have everything. Amazing the way things work out. God did that.' The massive military parade and related festivities planned for June 14 will cost an estimated $25 to $45 million, according to the Army. This is likely a significant underestimate due to many expenses that are unaccounted for – or will be billed later, such as damages to local infrastructure caused by armored vehicles. Members of Congress are already expressing outrage at what they see as a gross misuse of funds. 'Trump squandering $45 million in taxpayer dollars on a military parade for his birthday is the epitome of government waste,' said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. 'If the Trump Administration truly cared about celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Army, they would honor past and present soldiers and reinstate the thousands of veterans who they fired from the federal workforce — not throw away millions on an extravagant parade.' The purpose of the parade is also seemingly up for interpretation. The White House now says the parade is a celebration of the Army's semiquincentennial after, last month, denying reports that a parade would be held on the president's birthday. Trump, for his part, has offered shifting explanations, stating that the parade is a celebration of Flag Day, the military writ large, or tanks and other weaponry. The current plan, nonetheless, involves a martial spectacle reminiscent of the Soviet Union or North Korea in the heart of America's capital, with armored vehicles rolling down Constitution Avenue. It is slated to involve more than 100 vehicles, including 28 M1A1 Abrams tanks, 28 Stryker armored personnel carriers, 28 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, four M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzers, as well as military relics like World War II-era Sherman tanks, a B-25 bomber, and a P-51 Mustang single-seat fighter plane, according to Army spokesperson Cynthia Smith. She added that the parade will also feature 34 horses, two mules, one wagon, and one dog. 'Join us on June 14th for the U.S. Army's 250th Anniversary Grand Military Parade on the National Mall! Hosted by President Donald Trump,' reads a White House post on X announcing the event, which will also feature 50 helicopters flying overhead, including Apaches, Black Hawks, and tandem-rotor Chinooks. The White House says that Trump will 'deliver remarks celebrating 250 Years of the U.S. Army's exceptional service, significant achievements, and enduring legacy.' Trump previously called the price tag of the parade 'peanuts compared to the value of doing it.' The White House did not respond to questions about the additional costs beyond those cited by the Army. 'This administration does not have a credible history of telling the truth about anything. And so, when they estimate $45 million, you know that's a low-ball figure.' Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., suspects the costs could be markedly higher than the current estimates. 'This administration does not have a credible history of telling the truth about anything. And so, when they estimate $45 million, you know that's a low-ball figure,' he told The Intercept. 'I don't know if it includes transporting the troops from their home stations to Washington or feeding them on that trip.' Cohen brought up other costs from aircraft flyovers — 'How much fuel do they burn up? How much maintenance is required before and after the flight?' — to the construction of stands and viewing platforms on the parade route. The total burden on taxpayers could also soar higher because the federal government is on the hook to fix city streets and other infrastructure torn up by the armored vehicles (each Abrams tank, for instance, weighs almost 70 tons). 'If military tanks were used, they should be accompanied with many millions of dollars to repair the roads,' said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in April, adding that tanks rolling through the city's streets 'would not be good.' The Army says they have this covered — at taxpayer expense. 'As a prevention measure to ensure there are no damages to the roads, one-inch-thick steel plates, varying in size from 4 feet by 8 feet and 8 feet by 20 feet will be placed on the roads at any pivot point and all new rubber tracks will be placed on vehicles,' Heather J. Hagan, an Army spokesperson, told The Intercept. 'The federal government would be responsible for any damages.' Additional expenses, like cleanup and an increased police presence, are also apparently not part of current estimates, although Daniel Gleick, Bowser's press secretary, was unable to provide projected local costs. The sheer number of agencies the Army is working with, however, speaks to the likelihood of wide-ranging additional expenses. 'The Army is coordinating with local law enforcement, National Park Services, District Department of Transportation, Federal Highways Administration, U.S. Park Police, and DC Water, who will assess the roads and bridges,' said Hagan. One major expense of the parade to be borne by taxpayers is the cross-country transport of mammoth military vehicles. The Abrams tanks have, for example, already been loaded onto flatbed railcars at an industrial rail yard facility at Fort Cavazos, Texas, for their long journey toward Washington. The tanks will then be trucked to a staging area near the parade route. The district will also be flooded with close to 7,000 troops. The Army did not want to disclose the locations for force protection reasons, but service members will be housed in the Agriculture Department and General Services Administration buildings, according to Pentagon sources. Contracting materials examined by The Intercept show the Army National Guard is seeking to rent '800 Sleeping Cots in Support of Army 250 Parade in Washington D.C.' 'They're going to sleep on cots. They're going to get cots and MREs,' said Smith, the Army spokesperson, referring to 'meals ready-to-eat,' the military's moniker for rations. Cohen, the Tennessee representative, also referenced the inclusion of large numbers of National Guard members. 'They'll have to take time from their jobs. And are they being paid by the state extra for this time as being in the National Guard? That's another expense,' he said. The Army is also looking into potential lodgings — like hotel rooms or furnished apartments — to house 280 personnel from June 12 to 16 and another 275 personnel from June 13 to 16 near the National Mall. These people will, however, eschew MREs for more sumptuous victuals: a hot breakfast, a bag lunch, and a hot dinner, according to a request for information issued by the Army earlier this month. Smith said she did not have details about this effort. Hagan, the other Army spokesperson, did not have a more granular breakdown of other parade costs. Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron at the annual Bastille Day military parade on the Champs-Élysées Avenue in Paris on July 14, 2017. Photo: Eliot Blondet/Sipa USA via AP Images Trump has Fixated on military parades for decades — and has repeatedly found himself mired in controversy as a result. When he was merely a real estate developer and New York City gadfly, his involvement with the Nation's Parade, celebrating the Second World War's 50th anniversary in 1995, sullied 'an otherwise positive day,' according to the New York Times. As reporter Robert McFadden observed at the time: 'Many veterans were angry that organizers had agreed to name Mr. Trump, who is not a veteran, as grand marshal in exchange for his contribution of $200,000 and help in raising additional funds.' In 2017, during his first term, Trump watched the Bastille Day parade in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron and returned home obsessed with staging his own défilé militaire. Plans for a 2018 parade were postponed after local officials in Washington, D.C., raised concerns about damage to the capital city's streets, the Pentagon tossed up additional roadblocks, and public reports of the estimated $92 million price tag caused the White House to retreat. 'When asked to give us a price for holding a great celebratory military parade, they wanted a number so ridiculously high that I cancelled it,' Trump groused in a tweet at the time. 'Maybe we will do something next year in D.C. when the cost comes WAY DOWN.' A top aide to then-Defense Secretary James Mattis wrote that the former general privately said he would 'rather swallow acid' than watch Trump's military spectacle. Trump seems to have learned lessons from past parade problems and has been deflecting talk of June 14 being a festival in his honor. 'Your birthday's coming up,' NBC News's Kristen Welker said during a wide-ranging interview with Trump earlier this month. 'Yeah,' the president responded. 'And there are reports that you're looking into the possibility of a military —' said Welker, with Trump replying 'Yeah' as she said 'parade.' But the president immediately walked it back. 'Well, my birthday happens to be on Flag Day. So … I think they're talking about Flag Day. But I view it for Flag Day, not necessarily my birthday,' Trump went on. 'It's Flag Day, plus we're going to have different days. You know, if you look at Russia, they celebrate Victory Day.' Lavish spending on the military parade comes as the Trump administration is requesting $1 trillion for the Pentagon and pursuing massive cuts to nonmilitary programs like housing assistance, education initiatives, environmental programs, and foreign aid. Cohen reiterated the need to pass his Halting All Parades for Presidents' Yearly Birthdays; It Risks Taxpayer Harm, Damages, And Your (HAPPY BIRTHDAY) Budget Act, which he introduced last month. 'The egotist-in-chief wants taxpayers to foot the bill for a military parade on his birthday. This would be an unprecedented waste of money to please this self-absorbed con man,' said Cohen, whose legislation would bar public funds from being used for presidential birthday parades. 'It also sends the message that Trump is not a king, and we don't pay tribute to tyrants.' Despite their opposition to Trump's military spectacular, both Cohen and Blumenthal emphasized their appreciation for the military. 'I strongly support celebrating the Army's 250 years of service and sacrifice, but in a more appropriate way,' said the senator. 'We all appreciate the Army. We all appreciate the soldiers. We appreciate the veterans. We don't have to have this parade to do that,' Cohen told The Intercept. 'Even if the parade costs $45 million, that's a lot of money. And that could feed a lot of kids who are losing SNAP payments,' said Cohen, referencing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program formerly known as food stamps. 'So I think it's misprioritization of monies. And it just contributes to the whole idea of a fascist state with an authoritarian leader like Mussolini or Hitler.'
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
'No Kings' Protest Leader Reveals 'Big Baby' Trump Plan
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An activist involved with the "No Kings" movement has revealed plans for their upcoming protest. Ezra Levin, the head of grassroots movement Indivisible, one of the groups associated with the movement, told the Jim Acosta Show that an upcoming coordinated protest on June 14, which is on President Donald Trump's birthday and Flag Day, would take place in areas away from where Trump is holding a parade. Why It Matters The protesters, who are working with local chapters in more than 30 states, are targeting a military-style parade the Trump administration is planning on his birthday. According to planning documents obtained by the Associated Press, Trump's proposed event, which would follow a route from Arlington, Virginia across the Potomac into Washington, D.C., and conclude with a concert and fireworks, would include more than 6,600 soldiers, at least 150 military vehicles, 50 helicopters, seven bands and potentially thousands of civilians. Trump protestors protested out front to the Tesla Showroom to demand the the Trump Administration stop funding billionaires. Trump protestors protested out front to the Tesla Showroom to demand the the Trump Administration stop funding billionaires. Katie Godowski / MediaPunch /IPX The counter-protest comes amid a wave of protests against Trump and his policies that have taken place since he took office in January 2025. People are protesting to express their disapproval of policies implemented by Trump's administration, including cuts overseen by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Other protests have focused on Trump's immigration policies. Recent polls have shown Trump's approval rating at a historic low. What To Know Levin said their protest would take place in areas everywhere around the country, except downtown D.C., where Trump's parade will take place. "We do not want to give this guy an excuse to crackdown on peaceful protest," he said. "We want the contrast - this guy's a big baby, he's throwing himself a big military parade for his birthday. We, the people, where power actually originates in this country, we're everywhere else." He added that the protest was to "send a signal" to Trump and allied institutions to protect democracy. Levin also said it wasn't appropriate to spend money on a parade for Trump amid cuts to Medicaid and other government programs. He also called Trump's agenda "heinous" and said protests against him were "inspiring." What People Are Saying Army spokesperson Colonel Dave Butler recently told the Associated Press: "We want to make it into an event that the entire nation can celebrate with us. We want Americans to know their Army and their soldiers. A parade might become part of that, and we think that will be an excellent addition to what we already have planned." The "No Kings" group previously said: "Real power isn't staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else." What Happens Next The "No Kings" protest takes place on June 14. The coalition has said it will release more information about the event closer to the time. Law enforcement agencies in Washington, D.C., are preparing for heightened security, though officials have not disclosed specific plans.
The Hill
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Trump's military parade doubles as a birthday party
Washington is bracing for a massive military parade in the coming weeks, ostensibly to celebrate the Army's 250th anniversary. But President Trump's presence is likely to loom large over the proceedings for a variety of reasons. The parade falls on the same day as his 79th birthday. He has a long-held fascination with ostentatious military displays. And the president's critics have raised concerns about both the cost and the optics at a time when Trump is facing accusations that he is ruling akin to a dictator. It's a manifestation of an idea Trump mused about during his first term but that never quite came to fruition. 'We're going to have a big, big celebration, as you know, 250 years,' Trump said Monday at Arlington Cemetery, speaking broadly of plans to celebrate the anniversary of the country's founding. 'In some ways I'm glad I missed that second term where it was because I wouldn't be your president for that.' The military parade is expected to overtake parts of the nation's capital on June 14 to mark 250 years of the U.S. Army. It will feature thousands of service members, dozens of military vehicles and an overall cost of up to $45 million, according to military officials. Service members in town for the event will stay in government facilities, such as a Department of Agriculture building. There will be a fitness competition on the National Mall. The main parade will take place from 6:30 p.m. EDT until 9:30 p.m. And of course, there will be Trumpian flourishes. The president will observe the parade from a viewing stand set up on Constitution Avenue near the White House. Paratroopers from the Army's Golden Knights are expected to land on the Ellipse and hand the president an American flag. And Trump will deliver remarks, which the White House said will celebrate 250 years of the Army's 'exceptional service, significant achievements, and enduring legacy.' Officials, including Trump, have downplayed the significance of the event falling on his birthday, noting it happens to be the same day as Flag Day and the Army's anniversary. An Army official said the celebration for the branch's 250th anniversary has been in the works for two years. The incorporation of the parade, which is more of a hallmark of Trump's gaudy and ostentatious style, is 'more recent,' the official said, though they would not specify where the idea came from. But one doesn't have to look far to see Trump's interest in such a parade. Trump attended Bastille Day celebrations in France in 2017, complete with military vehicles rolling down the streets while service members carry flags as government officials look on. Trump took an interest in having a similar event in the U.S. And while the idea was generally rebuffed during his first term by both federal officials and those in the District of Columbia, Trump did manage to organize a 'Salute to America' event on the Fourth of July in 2019. That event featured military tanks on display around the National Mall and flyovers that featured the Navy Blue Angels, other military aircraft and the plane that serves as Air Force One. It was capped by a Trump speech near the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. But in his second term — rid of officials like former Defense Secretary James Mattis who pushed back on Trump's impulses — the president is plowing full speed ahead with a more fulsome military display. 'We have the greatest missiles in the world. We have the greatest submarines in the world. We have the greatest army tanks in the world. We have the greatest weapons in the world. And we're going to celebrate it,' Trump told NBC's 'Meet the Press' in an interview. Asked about the financial cost, Trump called it 'peanuts compared to the value of doing it.' The president and White House officials have boasted that Trump has returned the armed forces to readiness by getting rid of so-called woke ideology and practices. The Pentagon has moved to bar transgender people from serving and purged diversity, equity and inclusion policies in place at the department. The administration has also touted that the Army is on track to meet its annual recruiting goal ahead of schedule, an achievement officials credit to the leadership of Trump and his Defense secretary, veteran and former Fox News host Pete Hegseth. But where Trump sees military might and American exceptionalism, his critics see a wannabe strongman putting on a parade for himself. 'Donald Trump is not alone among world leaders in wanting a parade. In fact, I think he derives inspiration from other world leaders he emulates,' Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said in a recent video posted to social media, invoking military displays in North Korea, Russia and China. 'So why do all of these would-be dictators love a military parade?' Schiff added. 'Well they love a military parade because it sends a message to the country … that they are in charge of the military. That this is their military might to use as they would, externally or internally.' Samuels covers the White House for The Hill.
Global News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Global News
Ontario briefly considered flag-burning law — then abandoned it after internal pushback
A planned law that would've mandated the flying of the Ontario flag at all provincial buildings and banned the desecration of the Canadian flag has been scuttled by the Ford government, Global News has learned, after members of the Progressive Conservative caucus questioned the necessity of the bill. Multiple sources told Global News the proposal, spearheaded as part of a patriotism push by Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism Graham McGregor, would have potentially violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and may have faced court challenges. The proposal was scheduled to be discussed at Ford's cabinet on May 21 – Ontario's Flag Day – but was pulled from ministers' briefing materials shortly before cabinet convened. In a brief interview with Global News, McGregor confirmed that his ministry 'won't be tabling any legislation this spring session' but said the intent behind the measure was to 'promote unity' in the province and country. Story continues below advertisement 'We live in the best province, the best country in the world, so we're looking at options,' McGregor said. 'But as far as internal deliberations, caucus, cabinet, etc., I just don't have a comment to share.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Sources told Global News the law would have made it mandatory to fly both the Ontario and Canadian flags at all government of Ontario buildings, in effect creating the need for a secondary flagpole to accommodate the provincial banner. The proposal wouldn't have applied to schools, hospitals or facilities only funded by the Ontario government. While some sources said the law would have also included language that would allow for other flags, such as the Pride flag, to be flown, others in government expressed concern that mandating the Ontario and Canadian flags would have effectively prevented other flags from being recognized. The legislation, however, would also have created a new provincial offence for anyone caught desecrating or burning the Canadian flag with fines of between $500 and $1,000 for repeat offences. There are no specific Canadian laws against burning, shredding, stomping or spitting on the flag, according to criminal defence lawyer Jonathan Pyzer. In addition to making desecration a provincial offence, Ontario's proposal would have also given a police officer the right to demand the identification of an individual caught burning a flag, with potential arresting powers if they failed to provide ID. Story continues below advertisement Progressive Conservative insiders told Global News the proposal received a lukewarm response when it was presented to caucus, with some questioning the need for such a proposal and others casting it as an unnecessary distraction. Some sources believed the measure would also be unenforceable and run the risk of pitting police against the Canadian constitution's free speech provisions. In caucus, sources said, some MPPs likened the measure to the government's controversial COVID-19 policy in 2021, which empowered police to conduct random checks in an effort to enforce the province's stay-at-home orders. Those measures, which triggered intense public backlash, were rescinded within 24 hours after police forces publicly rejected the powers. While McGregor didn't address the internal disagreements about the legislation, he suggested his ministry might look at other measures to rally around the Canadian flag. 'What I will say is regarding defending the flag, defending the Ontario and the Canadian flag, we're always looking at opportunities on how we can promote that better,' McGregor said.
