As US President Donald Trump approaches his 79th birthday tomorrow, his aspiration for a grand military parade in Washington is potentially threatened by thunderstorms.
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Weather forecasts predict the possibility of lightning coinciding with a display that will feature nearly 6,000 troops, 50 helicopters, and 150 armored vehicles, all rolling through the capital for a crowd of enthusiastic spectators.
Trump’s previous encounters with tumultuous weather have been less than favorable; his inauguration celebration in January had to be moved indoors due to freezing temperatures, leading to the cancellation of the parade.
The White House has assured the public that a “historic celebration” of the US Army’s 250th birthday will proceed, albeit with some “adjustments” based on the weather conditions.
“No matter what, a historic celebration of our military servicemembers will take place!”
While the Army and the America 250 Commission, tasked with organizing the parade, have yet to provide further comments, plans are still in motion.
In a counter to the festivities, hundreds of anti-Trump “No Kings” rallies are organized across the United States tomorrow—though Washington will not host any—as critics voice concerns over the president’s perceived authoritarian tendencies.
“We want to show off a little bit,” Trump noted in a visit to an Army base on Tuesday, adding there would be a “very big force” available to counter any disruptive protests.
The Army estimates that the event could cost up to $45 million, engaging nearly 7,000 soldiers who will don various uniforms representing significant periods in American military history since the Revolutionary War.
Overhead, spectators can expect to see more than 50 helicopters, including Apache gunships, the robust Chinook transport choppers, and agile Black Hawks.
Around 150 military vehicles, featuring 28 M1A1 Abrams battle tanks, 28 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, and 28 Stryker eight-wheel vehicles, will also cruise past iconic landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, concluding the procession near the White House.
The event is designed to culminate with a parachute demonstration from the Army’s Golden Knights team, who will present Trump with a US flag.
Interestingly, this parade is happening on Flag Day, a celebration of the Stars and Stripes, which also marks Trump’s own birthday.
Long enamored with military displays, Trump has shown admiration for the majestic parades seen in cities such as Paris, Moscow, and Pyongyang. His fascination began during his first term when he attended the Bastille Day parade in 2017, declaring it “one of the greatest parades I have ever seen” and hinting at a desire to replicate such an event in the United States.
However, concerns about the hefty price tag—initially estimated at $92 million—and worries over potential damage to Washington’s infrastructure initially stalled these ambitions. This time around, the Army has assured that metal plates will be used to protect the roads.
Displays of military might are seldom seen in the U.S., and Peter Loge, director of George Washington University’s School of Media, articulates this sentiment well: “We were founded by a group of merchants and farmers who were tired of a standing army invading their streets in the name of keeping them safe. We’ve always looked down on grand military parades in Russia or North Korea; we are Americans, and we believe in democracy—not in military shows of force.”
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
