An Army spokesperson said Thursday that a massive military parade planned for Washington next month will cost an estimated $25 million to $45 million and involve dozens of warplanes, hundreds of Army vehicles, and thousands of soldiers from across the country sleeping in downtown government office buildings.
The parade will showcase 6,600 soldiers, 150 vehicles, and 50 aircraft, representing all active Army divisions. Vehicles will arrive by rail and be trucked into the city, while aircraft will fly in for the occasion.
Approximately 3,000 service members will be housed on unused floors of a General Services Administration building, and 2,000 will stay in an Agriculture Department building, with most arriving a few days prior and departing on June 16.
The event will include a fireworks display and a day-long festival on the National Mall, featuring military demonstrations, musical performances, and a fitness competition.
The parade is part of a week-long celebration of the Continental Congress’s 1775 vote to establish the Continental Army, with additional events such as an Army birthday run at Fort Myer and a new exhibition at the National Museum of the U.S. Army.
The parade’s timing, aligning with President Trump’s birthday, has drawn criticism, particularly as his administration pushes for significant cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Trump has frequently expressed enthusiasm for military displays, envisioning soldiers marching, tanks rolling, and aircraft soaring over the capital. In response, protest plans are already in motion.
Each Army division will cover the transportation costs for personnel and equipment to and from the D.C. region.
Warren emphasized that these expenses will not impact the divisions’ training or supply capabilities, stating, “When units need more money, we give them more money.”
The Army’s 250th anniversary parade promises to be a historic spectacle, but its high cost and political undertones ensure it will remain a topic of heated debate as the nation prepares to honor its military heritage.
