WASHINGTON – The Army’s plans for a massive parade on June 14 – its 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday – will roll armored vehicles and nearly 7,000 troops past a reviewing stand for Trump on Constitution Avenue near the White House, according to documents.
Parade units will mark critical mileposts in the Army’s history from soldiers in Revolutionary War attire to Army Rangers and Stryker armored vehicles to commemorate the Global War on Terror.
“Begins with the Secretary of the Army and Chief of Staff of the Army reporting to the President of the United States (POTUS) followed by our Nation’s flag carried by the Honor Guard’s Color Guard and the Army Flag,” the planning document states.
During his first term, Trump’s demand for a militarized July 4 celebration on the National Mall drew criticism that he had politicized Independence Day. Instead of tanks rolling down Washington’s wide avenues, and chewing up pavement, Pentagon officials staged a toned-down event that featured flyovers and a display of armored Bradley Fighting Vehicles.
There appears to be no apprehension this time from the Army about combining its anniversary with Trump’s birthday. The parade, according to a U.S. official, was an idea pushed by the White House. The official spoke on condition of anonymity.
This time the Army is all in on the concept, according to the documents.
More: They love a parade: President Trump and US Army to celebrate their June 14 birthdays
The parade’s finale includes the Army’s Golden Knights parachute team landing and presenting a “flag to the POTUS on behalf of the Army,” one planning slide shows. Trump will then preside over a ceremony enlisting and re-enlisting soldiers.
Plans call for 6,686 soldiers, 50 aircraft, seven bands and 152 vehicles, including 92 categorized as “heavy.” Those include M-1 Abrams tanks and vintage World War II Sherman tanks.
The parade is scheduled to last nearly four hours and be capped off with a fireworks display.
Contributing: Sudiksha Kochi
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Army plans massive four-hour parade on Trump’s birthday
