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Top US Defense Officials to Join Trump in 'Salute to America'

Jeff Seldin

   Katherine Gypson, Dora Mekouar contributed to this report.

   WASHINGTON -- Top U.S. military brass and other officials will be in
   attendance for President Donald Trump's "Salute to America" event, part
   of the country's July Fourth Independence Day celebration.

   The Defense Department on Wednesday confirmed Acting Secretary of
   Defense Mark Esper and the nation's highest-ranking military officer,
   Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Joseph Dunford have
   accepted the president's invitation for Thursday's festivities.

   Other top-ranking defense officials, including the acting
   undersecretary of the Army, the secretary of the Navy, the acting
   secretary of the Air Force, the deputy commander of the Marine Corps
   Development Command and the commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard will
   also attend.

   In addition, the Defense Department said the White House has provided
   5,000 tickets to the event for other military personnel and their
   families.

   The country's annual July Fourth celebration, which commemorates
   America's declaration of independence from Britain in 1776,
   traditionally attracts hundreds of thousands of people to the National
   Mall in Washington for a celebration featuring a concert and fireworks.

   This year, Trump announced the addition of the "Salute to America"
   event to highlight U.S. military power.

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