A grand military parade is planned to honor the US Army’s 250th anniversary and coincide with Donald Trump’s 79th birthday, potentially costing up to $45 million. The parade, scheduled for June 14 in Washington DC, will showcase 6,600 soldiers, 50 military aircraft, 150 vehicles, and over two dozen M1 Abrams main battle tanks. Participants will wear uniforms representing various US conflicts throughout history, from the revolutionary war to present-day engagements in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
To protect the streets from the tanks’ weight, large metal plates will be placed strategically along the parade route. Each war era will be represented by 60 troops in period costumes followed by 400 troops in their standard battle dress. Approximately 5,000 service members will be housed in government buildings before the event.
Vehicles will be transported by rail and air, and aircraft will fly in for the occasion. The White House estimates the parade’s cost to fall between $25 million and $45 million. This extravagant celebration comes amidst the Trump administration’s restructuring of the federal government, including cuts to the Veterans Affairs department.
Notably, Trump had previously considered a military parade during his first term but abandoned the idea due to high costs and logistical challenges, including concerns from city officials about potential damage to roads caused by heavy armored vehicles.
