Army plans for a potential parade on Trump’s birthday call for 6,600 soldiers, AP learns

AP News ^ | Updated 6:14 PM CDT, May 1, 2025 | LOLITA C. BALDOR

[E. Pluribus Unum]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Detailed Army plans for a potential military parade on President Donald Trump’s birthday in June call for more than 6,600 soldiers, at least 150 vehicles, 50 helicopters, seven bands and possibly a couple thousand civilians, The Associated Press has learned.

The planning documents, obtained by the AP, are dated April 29 and 30 and have not been publicly released. They represent the Army’s most recent blueprint for its long-planned 250th birthday festival on the National Mall and the newly added element — a large military parade that Trump has long wanted but is still being discussed.

While the slides do not include any price estimates, it would likely cost tens of millions of dollars to put on a parade of that size. Costs would include the movement of military vehicles, equipment, aircraft and troops from across the country to Washington and the need to feed and house thousands of service members.

High costs halted Trump’s push for a parade in his first term, and the tanks and other heavy vehicles that are part of the Army’s latest plans have raised concerns from city officials about damage to roads.

Asked about plans for a parade, Army spokesman Steve Warren said Thursday that no final decisions have been made.

Col. Dave Butler, another Army spokesman, added that the Army is excited about the plans for the birthday festival..

“We want to make it into an event that the entire nation can celebrate with us,” said Butler. “We want Americans to know their Army and their soldiers. A parade might become part of that, and we think that will be an excellent addition to what we already have planned.”

Others familiar with the documents, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the plans have not been finalized, said they represent the Army’s plans as...

[ansel12]

I don’t remember it being so negative as you do.

[Fledermaus]

I’ll bet private money will pay it

[ABN 505]

Depends on where and when you there, there was a smaller solid group of agitators trying to stir up violence and a majority of college brainwashed students who followed them. I think many of the worst became college professors and have infected many minds over the years.

[ansel12]

I was there during most of it.
I had just arrived in Tampa, Florida and was partying at someone’s house of people I didn’t know and the TV was on with the 11:00 news and was talking about all the troops moving in so I got someone to drop me off on the freeway and started hitchhiking to DC, I was in DC until well after it was over and having a good time, then stayed with a black family I didn’t know in Maryland for a week, then I hitched back to Houston while zig zagging through some cities for short stops.

[ABN 505]

Glad to have you as a brother and I don’t agree with all of my blood brothers, I read a lot of your posts and agree with you 99% of the time, keep on posting we are a disappearing breed of old timers.

[ABN 505]

Glad to have you as a brother and I don’t agree with all of my blood brothers, I read a lot of your posts and agree with you 99% of the time, keep on posting we are a disappearing breed of old timers.

[MayflowerMadam]

That would be on ... FLAG DAY. A parade would be wonderful! 🇺🇲

[ansel12]

I supported the war, I just liked looking for adventure and excitement during my life, shortly after Mayday I won my permanent draft deferment I had wanted since I didn’t believe in the draft at the time, once that was done I could enlist in the Army which put me in jump school not long after.