Saturday is the 250th anniversary of the United States Army, and the celebration includes an unprecedented parade in DC.
The June 14 parade will include more than 6,000 soldiers in uniform from all eras of American military service, as well as flyovers, military bands, and period-specific equipment. It will also feature contemporary weapons such as Abrams tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles, Strykers, and more than 50 helicopters.
It’s the capper to a day of Army-related events on the National Mall, which starts at 11 a.m. Attendees can see military equipment up close, attend meet-and-greets with soldiers, and catch performances by Noah Hicks, Scotty Hasting, and DJ Nyla.
The parade has been a source of controversy since President Donald Trump wanted to hold one during his first term. Some of the equipment, including the Abrams tanks, are projected to cause millions of dollars worth of damage to DC streets, NBC News reported. It will also cause flight disruptions and delays at Reagan National Airport.
The event coincides with Trump’s 79th birthday, and he’ll be there. Trump has insisted that the only purpose of the day’s celebration is to honor the military, but the evening’s events include the Golden Knights paratroopers landing on the Ellipse and presenting him with an American flag. Trump will also lead a ceremony swearing in 250 new and re-enlisting soldiers.
The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. and the celebration concludes with fireworks at 9:30. The parade route runs along Constitution Avenue; it starts at 23rd St. near the Lincoln Memorial and finishes at 15th St. near the Washington Monument.
You can watch from the parade route or on the Washington Monument grounds. Tickets are free, but you have to register online. The site opens for viewers at 2 p.m., and organizers stress that you’ll need to get there early to clear security.
Feature image courtesy Miftakhul/stock.adobe.com
