On Saturday, June 14, a grand military parade was held in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army. Thousands of soldiers, over a hundred military vehicles, and various military aircraft participated in this spectacular event, showcasing the history and power of the U.S. Army from the Revolutionary War to the present day.
President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and other political dignitaries were in attendance to witness the parade. Originally scheduled for the evening, the parade was moved earlier due to the possibility of inclement weather at night, lasting nearly two hours without encountering rain.
At the conclusion of the event, President Trump personally administered the oath of enlistment for new recruits and re-enlisting soldiers. He addressed the audience from the viewing platform, saying, “The Army protects our freedom, you make us strong, tonight, you make all Americans proud.”
He expressed gratitude for all past servicemen as he admired the magnificent display of military history unfolding before his eyes.
Following his speech, renowned singer Lee Greenwood performed “God Bless the U.S.A.,” and a fireworks display capped off the celebration, elevating the festive atmosphere to its peak.
Approximately 6,600 soldiers participated in the parade, donning uniforms representing various periods in military history, showcasing corresponding military equipment and styles. The procession, starting from the Revolutionary War, sequentially presented the military history from the Civil War, the two World Wars, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, all the way to modern times, resembling a moving military history exhibition.
About 150 military vehicles were part of the parade, including a variety of tanks and heavy armored vehicles. Among them, 150 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division based in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, appeared in uniforms from World War I, paying tribute to the division’s tradition as the “All-American Division.”
The 42nd Infantry Division, known as the “Rainbow Division” for its soldiers coming from 26 states across the country, also recreated the history of World War I at the parade, with a name inspired by Colonel Douglas MacArthur who commended the division as a “rainbow across the sky of America.”
The Army’s parachute team, the “Golden Knights,” descended from the sky with precision landing at the Ellipse Park, garnering enthusiastic cheers from the audience. Multiple formations of historic military aircraft flew over the capital, including C-47 transport planes and P-51 fighter planes from World War II, as well as helicopters from the Vietnam War, showcasing the legacy of the U.S. military’s aerial power.
The lineup of tanks was also a sight to behold, from World War II-era Sherman tanks to modern M1 Abrams main battle tanks, rumbling through the streets of the capital, leaving a lasting impression on the spectators.
John Griffith, a retired soldier who served in the 101st Airborne Division and was deployed to Korea twice, expressed his respect for all active duty and veteran military personnel during an interview with the Epoch Times, stating, “I’m here to pay tribute to all active duty and veteran soldiers. It’s a rare opportunity to celebrate the Army’s birthday and glory together.”
Thousands of spectators filled the National Mall, with many wearing T-shirts and hats bearing the Army insignia, while retired military personnel proudly wore commemorative hats displaying their service emblems and records. Supporters of President Trump were seen sporting themed attire such as “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) clothing.
On the morning of the event day, the Army held a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery to kick off the celebrations. The parade music, performed by military bands, featured instrumental renditions of rock songs from the 70s and 80s, creating a solemn yet vibrant atmosphere.
This grand celebration not only commemorated the founding of the Army on June 14, 1775, but also coincided with Flag Day and President Trump’s 79th birthday.
However, the event also sparked political controversies. President Trump had long desired to hold a military parade during his first term, with plans in 2018 for Veterans Day to commemorate the centennial of the end of World War I, but was canceled due to a budget of $92 million.
The estimated cost of this event ranged from $25 to $45 million, significantly lower than the previous proposal, yet still drew criticism from some Democratic officials, questioning the scale and viewing it as potentially a political booster for the President’s birthday.
While there were no significant protests at the venue in Washington D.C., various grassroots organizations across the U.S. responded to a protest initiated by “No Kings” against the Trump administration’s immigration policies. The movement stemmed from last week’s immigration enforcement actions by ICE in Los Angeles, leading to violent clashes and standoffs between law enforcement and citizens.
Around the Washington D.C. area, such as major roads and bridges in Northern Virginia and Maryland, protesters were also seen gathering.
(Adapted from an article by the English version of the Epoch Times)