By T N Ashok
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump celebrated his 79th birthday in June 14, Saturday with much pomp and fanfare befitting only emperors and kings as Heavy tanks, armoured vehicles and thousands of soldiers showcasing all military eras marked the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army that coincided with his birthday as he stepped into his 79th year.
June 14 thus became a controversial and expensive parade that displayed the military’s might in front of President Donald Trump and his closest allies but also drew thousands into the streets in several cities across the country coast to coast to protest against the immigration raids under the theme ”No King”.
‘The King’s” birthday was overshadowed by the street protests which Trump characterized in his sardonic style as a “PAID” demonstration. Paid by whom. It was obvious he was blaming the liberals or the democrats. The Day was also marred by the assassination of two of Minnesota’s popular legislators who were gunned down and two others attacked in a dastardly fashion that a nationwide hunt is on for the 54-year-old man said to have been wearing military fatigues.
Minnesota’s governor Tim Walz, last years’ running mate of democratic presidential candidate Ms. Kamala Harris, publicly mourned the death of the legislators. With the people of Minneapolis and St Louis, the twin cities, Vice President JD Vance sent his condolences promising any support in apprehending the criminal, Trump was yet to react to the incident.
Back to the military tattoo, hard rock from Metallica and Led Zeppelin blared on loudspeakers, more than 6,000 soldiers marched by spectators including Trump and first lady Melania Trump, who watched from a stage with the White House visible behind them as the president celebrated his 79th birthday.
“The Army keeps us free to make us strong,” Trump said in his remarks that came at the conclusion of the parade and a short concert and before a fireworks display. “And tonight, you have all Americans very proud.” But many retired army officers said it was not necessary the two events had to coincide. They could have been held separately.
Trump saluted soldiers dressed in World War II-era uniforms and applauded throughout as soldiers with machine guns, M1 Abrams tanks and howitzer cannons made their way past his stage, while parachuters jumped from planes above.
Trump’s parade produced a dramatic split screen as millions of Americans attended coordinated “No Kings” marches in cities across the country in protest of Trump and his administration. It also came on the same day that two Minnesota state lawmakers were shot – with one killed alongside her husband – in a pair of politically-motivated attacks from a gunman still on the loose. Both lawmakers were members of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labour Party.
Back in Washington, it was not immediately clear how many people attended the event at the National Mall, which was the first military parade in the nation’s capital since the end of the Gulf War in 1991. But it appeared to be vastly fewer than the 200,000 who had been expected, perhaps a result of the threat of rain looming in the evening forecast. The long stretch of pathway from the Lincoln memorial to the Capitol hill is described as the national mall or the Washington Mall, it’s not a shopping mall.
The parade, which was projected to cost $40 million in taxpayer dollars, started 30 minutes earlier than scheduled. A 21-gun salute and a performance of “Hail to the Chief” welcomed the president and first lady before the parade began with the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, depicting the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.
On stage, Trump was also joined by Vice President JD Vance, members of his Cabinet including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Republican lawmakers such as Rep. Marjorie Taylore Greene, R-Georgia.
A massive fireworks display over the National Mall concluded Trump’s military parade as the president and first lady watched from their stage. Speakers hailing the virtues of U.S. soldiers played over loudspeakers as the fireworks blasted from near the Washington Monument – mimicking the city’s Fourth of July celebration that will comes in less than one month. The soundtrack for the fireworks also included several American anthems including “America the Beautiful.”
Trump hailed the U.S. Army as the “fiercest and bravest fighting force ever to stride the face of the earth” and commended soldiers who have fought and died for the country in patriotic-themed remarks after the parade concluded. “The Army keeps us free to make us strong. And tonight, you have all American very proud,” Trump said in a seven-minute speech. “Every other country celebrates their victories. It’s about time America did, too.”
Trump traced U.S. military operations from the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War to the Civil War, and from World War I and II into the modern times. “Our soldiers never give up, never surrender and never give up. They fight, fight, fight,” he said, echoing what became one of his slogans after he escaped an assassination attempt in the 2024 election.
Trump said there is “no earthly force more powerful than” an Army soldier, before pointing to the sacrifices of the army. “Our soldiers have poured their blood out by the bucket load.” “Thanks to their extraordinary service and devotion, 250 years later, America stands tall, America stands proud, and America stands free,” he said. “We’re the hottest country in the world right now. Our country will soon be greater and stronger than ever before.”
Vice President JD Vance noted June 14 is also his wedding anniversary during his remarks introducing Trump. After finishing his speech, Trump and Melania Trump were handed a folded American flag by an officer before singer Lee Greenwood performed “God Bless the USA.” A fireworks display in front of the Washington Monument then erupted.
Not only did the military parade fall on Trump’s birthday. It also coincided with Vice President JD Vance’s 11th wedding anniversary with second lady Usha Vance. “Happy birthday, Mr. President,” Vance said as he introduced Trump before the president’s remarks. “But I would get in trouble if I didn’t mention that it’s also my wedding anniversary. And so, to my lovely wife: I love you, honey.” (IPA Service)
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