US Army's 250th Anniversary Parade to Cost Up to $45 Million

Washington, DC is preparing for a major military parade on June 14 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the US Army. The event, estimated to cost between $25 million and $45 million, will feature approximately 6,600 soldiers, hundreds of vehicles, and various aircraft. President Trump has expressed enthusiasm for the celebration, which coincidentally falls on his 79th birthday, though Army officials indicated the military is unlikely to acknowledge the presidential birthday during the festivities.

The parade will showcase military vehicles spanning from the Revolutionary War to modern times, with participants wearing era-appropriate uniforms. Planning for the anniversary celebration has been ongoing for nearly two years, with the vehicle parade being a more recent addition to the program. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll told the House Armed Services Committee that the event represents an opportunity to tell the Army's story and potentially boost recruitment efforts.

Special preparations are underway to protect Washington's infrastructure from damage by heavy military equipment. The Army has installed steel plates at turning points along the route to accommodate vehicles like the 60-ton M1A1 Abrams tank. Officials have committed to covering repair costs for any street damage, which could add approximately $16 million to the event's total expense.

The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. on the National Mall and continue until 6 p.m., with the military procession starting at 6:30 p.m. along Constitution Avenue. The celebration will conclude with a fireworks display around 9:45 p.m. This represents the first major military parade in Washington since the 1991 National Victory parade following the Gulf War, which drew approximately 200,000 spectators.

The event has generated some controversy regarding its cost, particularly as the current administration has emphasized reducing government spending. The parade will feature historical elements including Revolutionary War-era mounted troops, Civil War representations, and vehicles from World Wars I and II. Later segments will showcase equipment from the Korean and Vietnam Wars, Gulf War, War on Terror, and current military assets.