Army, Trump love a $40 million parade. But nothing is planned for Navy, Marines
WASHINGTON — The Army’s latest estimate for its major parade to celebrate its 250th anniversary – which falls on President Donald Trump’s birthday – totals $40 million, including the cost of repairing streets in Washington, DC expected to be gnawed by tank treads.
Meanwhile, the Navy, which also celebrates its 250th anniversary in October, has no plans for a similar parade, according to a spokesperson. The Marine Corps, too, has its 250th in November, and does not appear to have a parade on tap either.
That leads a Democratic senator and member of the Armed Services Committee to believe that the June 14 parade featuring tanks, helicopters, warplanes and troops in period costume is as much about feeding Trump’s ego as it is celebrating the Army’s heritage.
“It is Donald Trump who is the focus of his own attention, and the Army birthday just happened to be a convenient excuse,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut. “He might well celebrate all our military services together since their birthdays are imminent.
“I’m all in favor of celebrating the anniversaries of our services in a more appropriate way but without the extravagant expenditure of funds that are vital to our military.”
The administration insists that the Army’s anniversary and Trump’s birthday are a coincidence and that the parade is justified to honor soldiers’ sacrifice. Plans for the June 14 parade began in earnest about a month ago.
“The President is planning an historic celebration of the Army’s 250th birthday that will honor generations of selfless Americans who have risked everything for our freedom,” Domestic Policy Council Director Vince Haley said in a statement last month.
Trump told NBC in May that the parade's cost was, “Peanuts compared to the value of doing it."
The Army has acknowledged that the parade is costly, but says the expense justified. Tens of millions spent on a parade “is dwarfed by 250 years of service and sacrifice by America’s Army,” spokesman Steve Warren told reporters recently.
The Army’s initial estimate for the parade covered a range from $25 to $45 million. But as the event nears the estimate has been refined and includes damage to streets and infrastructure anticipated from heavy armored vehicles, according to a Defense official who was not authorized to speak publicly. It’s unclear how much the Army has budgeted to repair expected damage.
The $40 million in taxpayer dollars will fund a parade featuring Abrams tanks, vintage World War II warplanes and thousands of soldiers marching in period uniforms to mark the nation’s battles from the Revolutionary War to the present. A reviewing stand is being erected for Trump south of the White House.
Tanks shipped from Texas
The Army is shipping tanks from Texas by railroad to Washington for the parade, and soldiers from other posts around the country. They will be housed downtown in government buildings transformed into makeshift barracks with thousands of cots.
Military parades, especially France's annual Bastille Day celebration, have captivated Trump. But celebrations of military might are more common in authoritarian regimes.
Every member of the Army participating in the parade, from private to general, will be expected to bunk in what the Army calls Life Support Areas, the official said. There are exceptions. Pvt. Doc Holliday being one.
Doc is a blue heeler hound and “cherished member of Horse Cavalry Detachment, according to the First Cavalry Division. Doc will be staying in a hotel with his handler, the official said.