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By Chloe Mayer
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Thousands of soldiers will descend on Washington D.C, as tanks roll down the streets and aircraft fly overhead, in an American military parade that coincides with President Donald Trump's birthday.
The event, being run by organizers America250, will take place on Flag Day this Saturday (June 14) and is being held to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.
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Why It Matters
The parade also happens to fall on Trump's 79th birthday, which has sparked speculation that the event was his idea, given it was a relatively last-minute addition to the festivities. His previous attempt to hold a military parade was thwarted during his first presidency. In any case, anti-Trump demonstrators are planning a "No Kings" protest targeting the event this weekend.
It is unclear whether Trump personally requested the parade, or whether the event was initiated by organizers. Newsweek has emailed America250 seeking clarification and comment.
What To Know
Reports first surfaced that Trump was planning a military parade to coincide with his birthday back in April, with the news apparently coming as a surprise to local officials.
It did not give the organizers much time to prepare the event, but work was already well underway on a host of other events to mark the Army's 250th anniversary, such as community outreach activities and displays about the military's history.
Now the Washington, D.C, parade has also been added to the mix, new details are emerging about what spectators can expect.
The parade will kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET and will last for three hours until 9:30 p.m. "The parade will take place on Constitution Ave NW between15th Street and 23rd Street," according to the America250 website. "Guests are invited to convene along the parade route or view from the Washington Monument Grounds."
Around 200,000 are expected to attend, officials told Business Insider, which reported that 6,700 troops are scheduled to participate, including soldiers on active duty and in reserve, special forces and the National Guard. Some will be wearing the uniforms worn by soldiers in historic battles.
In addition, 28 M1A1 Abrams tanks bearing 120mm cannons will roll through the city and 50 aircraft will take to the skies, including helicopters, such as Black Hawks, Chinooks, and Apaches.
Not all National Guards' units will be represented in the event, with Oklahoma among those saying its units are not planning to be participating.
Trump has tried unsuccessfully to launch military parades during his first term. His hopes for a massive military parade to "top" other countries' processions were thwarted during his first term in 2018 and again in 2019.
Some critics had compared the president's ambitions to the bloated military spectacles seen in dictatorships, such as the parades in honor of Kim Jong Un in North Korea, or the propaganda displays in authoritarian regimes like China and Russia. Retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden told the media at the time: "That's just not our style."
Other criticisms leveled at the president over his plans included what was deemed to be an astronomical cost to taxpayers of hosting such an event, and the damage likely to be caused to city roads by heavy military equipment.
What People Are Saying
U.S. President Donald Trump posted a video update on his Truth Social platform, saying: "We're honoring the 250th anniversary of the greatest fighting force in history, the United States Army. We will celebrate a spectacular military parade in Washington DC, like no other.
"For two and a half centuries, the men and women of America's army have dominated our enemies and protected our freedom at home. This parade salutes our soldiers' remarkable strength and unbeatable spirit. You won't want to miss it! Just don't miss this one. It's gonna be good.
"Thundering tanks and break-taking flyovers will roar through our capital city as nearly 7,000 soldiers march in historic uniforms from every major war since the Revolution. Join us for this once-in-a-lifetime celebration. I think it's gonna be better and bigger than any parade we've ever had in this country."
He made no mention of his birthday, instead focusing on the celebration of the armed forces, but he promised: "I'm going to be there. I'll be watching the entire event. It's gonna be something very, very special."
The America250 website says: "With President Donald J. Trump in attendance, this historic celebration will feature powerful displays of patriotism, including flyovers, military vehicles, living history reenactments, and moving tributes to the courage, sacrifice and commitment of our men and women in uniform. Let us honor the past, celebrate the present, and inspire the future of American service."
Arlington County Board Chair Takis Karantonis told the Washington City Paper in April that exact plans for a parade had not yet been discussed, saying the board was caught off-guard by the White House. He added: "I would hope the federal government remains sensitive to the pain and concerns of numerous [military] veteran residents who have lost or might lose their jobs in recent federal decisions, as they reflect on how best to celebrate the Army's anniversary."
What Happens Next
Organizers are likely to be spending this week finalizing preparations while units are likely to be practicing ahead of the parade.
Those wishing to attend should visit America250.org to reserve their spot.
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