Washington Hosts First Military Parade Since 1991 on Trump’s Birthday
A military parade was held in Washington for the first time since 1991 to mark President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, USA Today reported.
More than 6,000 service members marched down the capital’s main avenue, showcasing uniforms, vehicles, and weapons spanning the Army’s history — from the Revolutionary War to the present day.
Participants wore period uniforms from the Revolutionary War, World War I, and World War II.
Vintage vehicles such as Willys Jeeps and Sherman tanks were also involved.
Modern military hardware included Stryker armored personnel carriers, Abrams main battle tanks, Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, and M109A7 self-propelled howitzers.
Organizers claimed that the goal was to highlight the Army’s capabilities and encourage younger generations to consider military service.
“The event is designed not only to demonstrate the modern capabilities of the Army, but also to inspire a new generation to embrace the spirit of service, resilience, and leadership that define the United States,” the organizers stated.
This was the first military parade in Washington since June 8, 1991, when the city hosted the National Victory Celebration following the end of Operation Desert Storm and the U.S. victory in the Gulf War.
Since then, large-scale military parades have been avoided due to their high cost and public opposition.
During his previous term, Trump proposed holding a similar event in 2018, but the Pentagon canceled the plan after cost estimates reached $92 million, drawing sharp criticism.
Militarnyi previously reported that Trump also moved to rename U.S. remembrance days marking the ends of World War I and World War II.
