The Department of Defense revoked a permit that would have allowed AMVETS to utilize the parking lot at the Pentagon as a rally point for the annual Rolling to Remember event. The organization has been meeting at the Pentagon parking lot and using it as a rally point/parking area for their Rolling to Remember event on Memorial Day for the past 32 years.
“Unfortunately, the department has disapproved AMVETS permit request. The department took into careful consideration all aspects of AMVETS request, to include the current Health Protection Condition status on the Pentagon Reservation; substantial community transmission of COVID-19 in Arlington County, Virginia; number of Americans fully vaccinated across the nation; nature of this event with its decreased ability to maintain physical distance; and large crowds in one location for an extended period of time. This event draws national attention and participation; therefore the risk of exposure from participants from other communities extends well beyond the National Capital Region,” the Pentagon said in a statement.
“If COVID-19 conditions permit, the department would gladly consider supporting a future event request from AMVETS, potentially as soon as this Labor Day weekend,” the statement continued. “The department looks forward to supporting future events with AMVETS, and as always, we appreciate AMVETS’ support of our veterans, their families, and their communities, including promoting better awareness of veterans’ issues, as well as AMVETS continued support for our missing-in-action service members.”
I said in the headline the permit had been revoked. That’s true, AMVETS had been given a permit in March. The Pentagon dropped the revocation late on friday, presumably to bury the story.
I-Team Reporter Scott Taylor asked: “These military vets are coming to Washington, D.C. regardless if the Pentagon participates or not, correct?”
“You are absolutely right,” said AmVets Executive Director Joe Chenelly. “We are seeing it on websites and social media all over the place. Much smaller groups. They’re planning their own smaller rallying points and they’re coming in.”