What to expect at Trump's $45 million military parade in DC
Share this @internewscast.com

Hundreds of thousands of revelers are expected to flood the streets of Washington, DC, Saturday to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US Army.

The extravagant parade, coinciding with President Trump’s 79th birthday, will showcase an impressive array of approximately 6,600 soldiers alongside hundreds of vehicles and aircraft, as announced by Army representatives.

“We’re going to have a great time; we are going to have a great celebration,” Trump said, touting the festival as a show of US military might.

While preparations for the event have been ongoing for nearly two years, the inclusion of military vehicles in the parade is a new addition to this year’s festivities. Army representatives informed CBS News that the branch is unlikely to make any references to Trump’s birthday during the parade.

The event’s financial requirement has been projected to fall between $25 million and $45 million, although the precise expenditures remain undisclosed.

Although the event will align with Trump’s birthday, the timing is just a coincidence.

The Second Continental Congress voted to create the Continental Army on June 14, 1775, after battles against the British in Concord and Lexington, naming George Washington commander-in-chief the next day.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll told the House Armed Services Committee that the parade represents an “amazing opportunity” to tell the story about the Army, and could even pay recruitment dividends.

“I believe very specifically that telling that story will directly lead to a recruiting boom that will fill up our pipeline for the coming years,” Driscoll said.

The festival will kick off on the National Mall at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, running until 6 p.m. The military parade will start at 6:30 p.m., starting at 23rd Street NW along Constitution Avenue to 15th Street NW, concluding around 7:30 p.m. Fox News will be airing special coverage of the parade from 6-10 p.m. ET; if you don’t have cable, you can watch for free with a five-day trial of DIRECTV.

A fireworks display on the mall is scheduled to follow the parade around 9:45 p.m.

The parade will be the first such cavalcade since the end of the Gulf War in 1991, during which around 200,000 people gathered on the National Mall to watch some 8,000 service members march in the National Victory parade.

Because the massive equipment — some, like the M1A1 Abrams tank weighing upwards of 60 tons — wasn’t designed to roll down paved city streets, the Army has been making special preparations to minimize damage to DC roadways.

Leading up to the parade, the Army has been placing one-inch-thick steel plates, ranging in size from 4-by-8 feet to 8-by-20 feet, at points on the route where the heavier vehicles will be making turns.

The Army has pledged to pay for the repairs if any streets are damaged, which could add $16 million to the price of the festival, according to NBC News.

US Army Col. Jesse Curry, who heads the Office of the Chief of Engineers, told reporters Monday during a security briefing that the vehicles will also be equipped with rubber track pads to further mitigate damage, noting that they will be traveling slowly.

The parade will serve as a living history lesson, spanning every era of the Army from the Revolutionary War to today — and even the future — as thousands of soldiers will be decked out in era-appropriate uniforms and gear.

Front and center at the parade will be a tribute to the American Revolution, featuring horse-mounted Dragoon troops outfitted with the uniforms and weapons from that time.

Next up will be the Civil War, featuring 12 Texas steeds leading the march and a pair of mules pulling a wagon to symbolize the Western Expansion that followed the conflict, which included scores of battles with Native Americans.

World War I and World War II will be represented with a classic Renault Tank, the famous armored vehicle used by the Allies, as well as a vintage 1918 Dodge Touring Car.

The World War II section of the parade will be the biggest, featuring multiple American trucks and jeeps used in the war and supplied to US allies, including the Chevrolet G7117 and Ford GPW.

This section is also when the aerial events start, with the B-25 Mitchell bomber, C-47 Skytrain transport, and P-51 Mustang fighter plane set to fly over DC.

Cold War-era conflicts like the Korean and Vietnam Wars will see the aircraft procession continue with the OH-6 Cayuse, AH-1 Cobra and UH-1 Iroquois helicopters.

The next section will start with the iconic M2 Bradley fighting armored vehicle deployed during the Gulf War in the early 1990s.

Along with the armored vehicle, the troops will also show off the powerful Paladin and M1A1 Abrams tanks, and the M119 Howitzer.

Vehicles from the War on Terror will also be featured, including the modern US Stryker armored vehicle, which became a staple of America’s war in the Middle East.

The final section includes a roundup of the American equipment from previous wars that are still used today, along with new additions like the M777 Howitzer that was used in Afghanistan.

The parade is not without controversy — the cost has come under scrutiny by members of Congress, particularly as the Trump administration has made cutting wasteful government spending a top priority.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Mike Rowe Hits It on the Head: Kimmel Didn't Insult Plumbers; He Insulted America's Aspirational Spirit

Mike Rowe Defends American Dream Against Kimmel’s Misguided Comments on Plumbers

In a way only television host Mike Rowe can, he captured the…
Second Riker's inmate dies in less than week

Rikers Island Faces Scrutiny as Second Inmate Death in a Week Sparks Concern

Tragedy struck Riker’s Island once again as an inmate passed away on…
Teen girl gunned down in posh Chicago enclave as police rush to nab her killer

Teenager fatally shot in upscale Chicago neighborhood as authorities intensify search for suspect

In a heartbreaking incident, a community near Chicago is mourning the loss…
Australian police fatally shoot a suspect in a 3-hour standoff after 2 officers killed

Australian Police Conclude Three-Hour Standoff with Fatal Shooting of Suspect Following Officer Fatalities

Australian authorities announced on Monday that they believe they have fatally shot…
President Trump posts letter from Billy Graham's son about fate of his immortal soul

Franklin Graham’s Letter to Trump Sparks Debate on Immortal Soul and Spiritual Legacy

WASHINGTON — In a letter shared on Truth Social this Palm Sunday,…
JD Vance warns that UFOs could be 'demons' flying around earth, vows to 'get to the bottom' of it

JD Vance Raises Alarming Theory: UFOs May Be ‘Demons’ — Pledges Comprehensive Investigation

WASHINGTON — Vice President JD Vance recently shared a provocative theory, suggesting…
US allows Russian oil tanker to reach Cuba amid blockade as Trump says island ‘has to survive’

US Greenlights Russian Oil Tanker’s Arrival in Cuba Amid Blockade, Trump Advocates for Island’s Survival

The United States is set to permit a Russian oil tanker, laden…
Eric Swalwell furious after Kash Patel pushes to release files of Chinese spy linked to him

Eric Swalwell Expresses Outrage as Kash Patel Advocates for Release of Files Tied to Chinese Spy Allegations

Congressman Eric Swalwell, a prominent Democratic contender in the California gubernatorial race,…
3,500 US troops arrive in the Middle East on USS Tripoli as Iran issues threat against ground invasion

3,500 US Troops Deploy on USS Tripoli Amid Rising Tensions as Iran Warns Against Middle East Ground Invasion

A contingent of 3,500 U.S. sailors and Marines has arrived in the…
Iran's internet blackout hiding strike damage and suppressing dissent, Israeli officials say

Iran’s Internet Shutdown Sparks Concerns Over Concealed Strike Impact, Israeli Officials Report

Israeli authorities are cautioning that Iran’s persistent internet blackout is influencing the…
UK's Starmer on Iran: 'Not Our War'

UK’s Starmer Declares: “Iran Conflict Not a British Battle

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has firmly stated that the United Kingdom…
Western Australia's skies turn a hellish red as Tropical Cyclone Narelle hit, stunning video shows

Tropical Cyclone Narelle Paints Western Australia’s Skies a Striking Red, Captivating Video Reveals

In a striking display of nature’s power, the western skies of Australia…