Pentagon Cancels Pricey Holiday Party Because of Recession

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Due to the fact that I'm actually serving my country and have been for 20 yrs. the gesture is wonderful! Instead throwing their usual fancy party they are taking the time to say thank you to true American Heros. More peopel should follw.

of CA 1:22PM December 01, 2008

To honor service members and the fallen will go a lot further than a merry social gathering. I suspect they will still need "Caterers, wait staff, purchass of food and drink,"
Let us see who else realizes that in these failing economic times, we can actually do more with less.

Stilly Lankeri of WV 8:56AM November 28, 2008

I believe that Admiral Mullen is doing a great job at setting an example. Just to give an understanding of how this works, the party is catered by military members, not outside vendors so no revenue is being lost. The typical people who are invited to this shindig are senior officials and high ranking military officers, a few celebrities and some politicans. Very few ground level troops ever get to attend. Canceling a splashy party in favor of a smaller appreciation gathering with the people who most deserve it, our wounded troops, is the right message to send to our nation and our armed forces. Most soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen never get to meet the Chairman. That he would personally decide to do this shows that he cares and understands what people are going through during this critical time in our nation. And most of these service members are really honored and excited to spend time with the most powerful man in uniform in the armed services and spend time conversing with him. It is equivalent to an average citizen being invited to meet the President personally.
By the way, I am a Democrat who was a former service member.

Nicole of WI 11:02PM November 26, 2008

I find this beautiful gesture above the "call of duty". Thank you gentlemen.
I can understand where and why they have made this decision. All this mad money for parties to fill the livers and stomachs of those that have more than enough in exchange to taking the moral high ground for our deservedly true heroes.
If you really think that caterers and limo drivers need the income or you're looking for a way to stimulate the economy, then by all means, let's find a better way of spending this money. We could start by funding better treatment to those that have lost limbs, hearts and souls to answer the call that you and I ignored with excuses.
For that matter, if you have never gone and seen the conditions and shortcomings at your local veterans’ hospitals, rehabilitation and care centres ... then please do us and yourself a huge mind-awakening favour and visit one for the holidays (and don't forget to bring your children with you ... it will be quite an education lesson on "American Civics and the politics of George W Bush").
Let's spend the money on these heroes with better gestures ... why not treat their families to a night at the cinema or theatre, a dinner for two, a romantic weekend for two (to help repair marriages), sending their family on a small get-away weekend or how about just giving them and their families something extra for Christmas (have you ever visited military-base housing?), a month of groceries for a veterans family, a year’s rent for student housing for a college attending veteran, petrol money for a veteran, etc.
Yes, I sincerely apologize for being such a "wet blanket" but perhaps I have a different definition and understanding of the term: "support the troops".
I will be in WashDC (as media) on Inauguration Day and I will be one face in a million to witness a President finally chosen “by the People, of the People and for the People”. After two stolen elections and 8 years of witnessing America's demise by imbeciles, crooks, thieves and liars ... we will cancel NO parties ... it will be a full celebration day of "We the People" (and a thorough announcement to the world that America is back).
(My son-in-law departs on his first tour to Iraq 2 weeks before Christmas ... please keep him and his family (4 children) in your Christmas prayers.)

OiseauNoir 7:52PM November 26, 2008

Actually either spelliong is acceptable, though one is preferred.

Steve of PA 1:49PM November 26, 2008

Particularly if it's Government money that pays for the party and the hors d'oeuvres.
In any case, it's perfectly possible that there would be more effective uses for that money than expensive food, drink, and entertainment. Like, rather than buying X amount of expensive food for wealthy guests, they could give the same amount of money to a charity to distribute 5X the amount of basic food to actual hungry people.

D Pickard of WA 11:59PM November 25, 2008

You'd think Ted Nugent would be more in line with the political ideas at a party like this.

Charles Cates of TX 10:53PM November 25, 2008

...this holiday season. When your boss cancels his/her party in the military, it goes without saying that you will cancel yours.
Trickle down effect for all those caterers, etc. Sad.
Also notice that the boss is politically correct; this is not a "Christmas" party but a holiday party.

Bruce Oksol of TX 3:26PM November 25, 2008

Good move, General. At least somebody is taking note of our situation. OK lower ranks, get with the program. Your next promotion may count on it.
Hint! Hint! Maybe civilian companies and federal, state and local goverments will follow suit. Tighten up, conserve.....the fat lady is singing.

ROBERT J. WELLS of FL 3:24PM November 25, 2008

Forego and forgo are simply variants of the same word and can be used interchangably.
I think canceling the party is a largely symbolic gesture, and they don't want to look like a bureaucrat that is living the high life while others are struggling to make it by.

Ross of CO 3:24PM November 25, 2008