(C) ShareAmerica
This story was originally published by ShareAmerica and is unaltered.
. . . . . . . . . .



Military history on display at Army's birthday parade [photo gallery] [1]

[]

Date: 2025-06-15 03:55:00+00:00

President Trump and first lady Melania Trump were the guests of honor at the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday parade June 14.

The parade and fireworks afterward capped a daylong celebration in Washington to mark the 250th anniversary of the Army’s founding. The president, who also serves as commander in chief, was joined in the reviewing stand by Vice President JD Vance and several Cabinet officials, as well as family members.

Speaking before the parade, Trump said, “To every veteran across our land … we love you, we honor you and we salute your noble service to our flag and to our country.” Trump repeatedly stood to salute the soldiers as they passed, playing in military bands, marching in formation and guiding vehicles and equipment.

The U.S. Army was formed on June 14, 1775, by the Second Continental Congress to fight the British in the American Revolutionary War. George Washington was named its first commander in chief the next day. The Army is America’s oldest institution, preceding the Declaration of Independence by more than a year.

The parade featured vehicles, uniforms and aircraft representing important eras in military history and showcasing the Army’s modern capabilities.

President Trump, first lady Melania Trump and others stand as the national anthem plays at the start of the parade. As the president arrived at the reviewing stand, a group of guests sang “Happy Birthday.” (While the event centered on the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday, June 14 was also the president’s 79th birthday.)

There were equipment exhibits and fitness events on the National Mall for visitors to enjoy during the earlier part of the day. A soldier participates in a competition before the parade.

Soldiers from Army bases across the United States represented various periods in military history, from the Revolutionary War to the Global War on Terrorism. Here, representing the Civil War time period, soldiers wearing replicas of the Union uniforms ride their horses and wave to the crowd.

Soldiers in Revolutionary War uniforms participate in the parade. The country’s birth was assured by soldiers who were likely to have been brave shopkeepers or farmers devoted to their cause.

Members of today’s Army drove jeeps and tanks, showcasing American ingenuity in designing new iterations of fast, rugged military vehicles during the 20th and 21st centuries.

A member of the Golden Knights, the U.S. Army’s parachute demonstration and competition team, lands in front of the White House. One of the parachutists delivered an American flag, which flew over the Capitol on June 14, to President Trump in the reviewing stand.

Helicopters parked on the National Mall as part of the 250th anniversary festivities are big hits with children. Helicopters like this Bell UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” were workhorses in the Vietnam War, transporting equipment, executing ground attacks and recovering wounded soldiers to bring them to safety.

The crowd watches helicopters fly near the Washington Monument. The event featured more than 100 armored vehicles and aircraft, as well as 6,700 soldiers, dozens of horses, a few mules and at least two robot dogs.

The weather forecast predicted thunderstorms, but the rain largely held off. President Trump and first lady Melania Trump watch fireworks after the parade.

[END]
---
[1] Url: https://share.america.gov/military-history-on-display-at-armys-birthday-parade-photo-gallery/

Published and (C) by ShareAmerica
Content appears here under this condition or license:  Public Domain.

via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds:
gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/shareamerica/