This coming Saturday, on 14th June, an elaborate, multimillion-dollar fiesta and procession, orchestrated by President Donald Trump, is all set to unfold to commemorate the 250th birth anniversary of the U.S. Army. The celebrations will carry on from dawn to dusk, without interruptions due to weather conditions, the executive office declares. The closing event of the day festival brimming with live music, dazzling fireworks, and an invigorating fitness contest is the illustrious ‘U.S. Army’s 250th Birthday Military Parade’. Interestingly, this grand celebration also aligns with President Trump’s 79th birthday.
During an early June video message, President Trump shared his homage towards the army, an institution that has secured America’s freedom and effectively subjugated our adversaries for two and a half centuries. The upcoming parade serves as a salute to the exceptional fortitude and the indomitable willpower that characterizes America’s soldiers. The president asserts that this occasion is unmissable, hinting at the magnitude of the yet-to-be-revealed details.
For a better understanding of what the military festival and parade represent, we must journey back to 1775. On June 14 of that year, America witnessed the birth of its very first national military unit, the Continental Army, as agreed upon by the Second Continental Congress. This event, which set the stage for a year preceding the signing of the Declaration of Independence, is the reason for the star-spangled 250th-anniversary celebrations.
The highlight of the festival, the parade, is scheduled to march between 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. ET on Saturday, 14th June. The day is structured meticulously to keep the attendees engaged throughout, with an assortment of events and performances.
The day begins with a tribute ceremony at the hallowed Arlington National Cemetery at 8:15 am. This solemn occasion is followed by a fitness competition and ceremony lasting from 9:30 am till noon, aimed at encouraging physical fitness and honoring the participants.
From 11 am up until 1:30 pm, the arena will be alive with the spirit of entertainment as an array of musical performances are presented. A significant highlight amidst this would be the performance by popular artist Noah Hicks, taking to the Main Stage from 12:30 to 1:00 pm ET.
Following this, an NFL ‘Skills and Drills’ event will be held from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. During this same hour, there will be a special ceremony to acknowledge Medal of Honor recipients from 1:30 pm to 1:45 pm.
There is no letup in the line-up, as Scott Hastings performs on the Main Stage from 2:00 pm till 2:50 pm. This is promptly followed by a special presentation by Army Astronauts from 2:45 pm to 3:00 pm.
The 250th Army Birthday Festival official ceremony with cake cutting takes place from 4:15 till 5:00 pm, marking the traditional highlight of the event, thereby igniting the excitement for the impending parade.
The parade to honor the Army’s 250 years of existence begins at 6:30 pm. After which, the enlistment ceremony takes place followed by a firework show which lasts from 7:45 pm to 8:00 pm, providing a fitting finale to the day-long proceedings.
The grand parade is set to occur along Constitution Avenue NW, drawing a path from Constitution Avenue NW and 23rd Street, continuing until it reaches 15th Street. This end point rests near the National Museum of African American History and Culture, adding yet another layer of national history to the proceedings.
One of the highlights of this event is that it’s entirely free for all attendees. No tickets are required, making it an inclusive and open celebration for anyone who wants to share in the army’s 250th birthday festivities.
Anticipation is high for this grand event, but with such a large gathering comes logistical considerations. An extensive list of instituted road closures is available to ensure the smooth execution of the parade. As for costs, estimates to manage this large-scale event range from $25 million to $45 million, with the Army’s most recent tally edging towards $40 million.
Despite forecasts by the National Weather Service hinting at a 60% chance of rain, President Trump remains unwavering in his stance to proceed with the parade, certain that it wouldn’t deter the tanks or the soldiers. He assured that they’re built tough, resilient to the trials of weather. This celebration marks the first of its scale since the National Victory Celebration on June 8, 1991, held in honor of the Gulf War’s end.