Parachutists — And Maybe A Military Parade — For Army’s D.C. Birthday Bash

By Jenny Gathright

Plans are in motion for a massive event on the National Mall in June to celebratetheArmy’s 250th anniversary with live music, fireworks, parachuters landingon the Ellipse — andperhaps the military parade President Donald Trump has been dreaming about for years.

The proposed parade would “consist of a history of the US Army, including some army equipment” and would start at the Pentagon, cross the Arlington Memorial Bridge into D.C., and continue on Constitution Avenue NW between 23rd and 15th streets, according to a permit application submitted to the National Park Service on March 31 by America250.org, a nonprofit founded to support the federal government’s multiyear celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Turning the June event into a military parade “has been discussed,” a senior White House official said, but the official said many ideas are discussed inside the White House without being acted on. “It means they could happen, but it doesn’t mean they will,” the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to speak frankly about internal discussions.

Army spokesperson Col. Dave Butler said Monday that a celebration for the 250th anniversary had been in the works for months, though no official decision had been made on a parade. America250.org did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The celebration will be June 14, the anniversary of the Continental Congress’s vote to officially create the force — which also happens to be Trump’s birthday.

The news of a potential military parade in D.C. — initially reported by Washington City Paper over the weekend — comes after Trump intended to host one during his first term but backed off amid pushback from the Army and D.C. officials over exorbitant costs and the damage tanks might cause to city roads.

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