A grand military parade will take place on 14 June in Washington DC to honor military veterans and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the army’s founding. The event will also coincide with President Trump’s 79th birthday.
The event was confirmed by White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly, on social media.
“To celebrate the U.S. Army’s 250th Birthday on June 14, President Trump will honor American Veterans, active-duty servicemembers, and military history with a military parade,” she said.
A military spokeswoman told The Epoch Times that the celebration would include fireworks and a parade involved thousands of service personnel and hundreds of vehicles.
“The national level celebration will include a spectacular fireworks display, a parade, and a day-long festival on the National Mall,” U.S. Army spokeswoman Heather Hagan said.
“We anticipate approximately 150 vehicles, 50 aircraft, and 6,600 Soldiers to highlight the Army’s 250 years of service to the nation.
“Given the significant milestone of 250 years, the Army is exploring options to make the celebration even bigger, with more capability demonstrations, additional displays of equipment, and more engagement with the community.”
The parade will form part of a larger national celebration that is being coordinated under “Task Force 2050,” which President Trump established in an Executive Order, in January, to celebrate 250 years since the American Founding.
Trump proposed a similar military parade during his first term, but that plan was abandoned over the potential cost, which was estimated at $92 million.
The US army was established on 14 June 1775, a year before the Declaration of Independence. The theme of this year’s historic anniversary will be “This We’ll Defend,” and the celebration will highlight the arm’s proud history as well as its future.
“As we prepare for our future, we also reflect on our past,” Gen. Randy George, Chief of Staff of the Army, said in a February statement to announce the 14 June celebrations.
“We remain committed to honing our warfighting skills, enforcing standards and discipline, and living the values that have defined our Army culture for the past 250 years.”
This week, President Trump also suggested he would rename Veterans’ Day and Victory in Europe Day as “Victory Day for World War I” and “Victory Day for World War II,” respectively.