WATCH: Thousands attend Army 250th birthday parade in Washington, DC
WASHINGTON (7News) — A military parade celebrated the Army's 250th in Washington D.C., with thousands of people in attendance. Aside from the parade, there was also concert and fireworks as part of the celebration.
The celebration also coincides with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday, National Flag Day, and the Army’s 250th anniversary.
Army's 250th birthday parade underway. Watch below:
Trump sat on a special viewing stand south of the White House to watch the display of American military might, which began early and moved swiftly as light rain fell and clouds shrouded the Washington Monument. The procession, with more than 6,000 soldiers and 128 Army tanks, was one Trump tried to make happen in his first term after seeing such an event in Paris in 2017, but the plans never came together until the parade was added to an event recognizing the Army's 250th anniversary.
“Every other country celebrates their victories. It’s about time America did too,” Trump declared in brief remarks at the parade's end.
The president praised the strength of the military's fighting forces and said U.S. soldiers “fight, fight fight and they win, win win” — putting a new twist on a line that Trump regularly delivered during his 2024 campaign rallies after he survived an assassination attempt.
"We’re here to support the Army," Susan Weimer told 7News from Constitution Avenue.
"We’re just excited to be here," Grant Saiz said.
"The flyovers are amazing," Chelsea Westoff said.
The troops, tanks, and technology on proud display really connect with the veterans in the crowd.
"It brings back a lot of good memories," Wayne Mendes said. For 20 years, I was in the army. I was in from 1976 all the way to '97."
Early in the evening's pageantry, the Army’s Golden Knights parachute team descended from overcast skies toward the reviewing stand. The team had been scheduled to appear at the end of the parade, but jumped earlier than planned in the drizzly skies above the National Mall.
At times, Trump stood and saluted as troops marched past the reviewing stand. But attendance appeared to fall far short of early predictions that as many as 200,000 people would attend the festival and parade. There were large gaps between viewers near the Washington Monument on a day when steamy weather and the threat of thunderstorms could have dampened turnout.
Due to forecasted bad weather, the program started ahead of schedule at 6:04 p.m. instead of the scheduled 6:30 p.m.
RELATED | GUIDE: Everything you need to know ahead of the Army's 250th anniversary parade
“Since 1775, American Soldiers have represented the very best of our nation,” said Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll. “They embody courage, sacrifice, and strength. Sworn to defend the Constitution and our core American values, American Soldiers have fought against anyone who might threaten our country. They are the most lethal land fighting force the world has ever seen. The U.S. Army has upheld this legacy for 250 years, and we will carry this legacy into the future."
WHAT ELSE COULD YOU SEE AND DO?
Other planned events include the following, according to the Army:
- A wreath-laying in honor of the Army's 250th at Arlington National Cemetery. WATCH HERE
- An Army fitness competition on the National Mall WATCH HERE
- Army festival on the National Mall. WATCH HERE
- Fireworks WATCH HERE
HOW CAN YOU GET AROUND THE CITY?
Some street closures won't end until Sunday. And while Metro was running there were some changes to service. The entrance to the Smithsonian Metro Station at the National Mall was closed.
Instead, the closest open metro exit to the National Mall was at 12th and Independence Avenue, Southwest. Other nearby stations include Foggy Bottom, Farragut West and North, McPherson Square, Metro Center, Federal Triangle, and Archives-Navy Memorial stations.
RELATED | Metro provides station closures, service update for Army military birthday parade
Counterprotests also happened in Washington D.C. and the surrounding cities. The “No Kings” rallies are expected to be one of the most attended, but there is no permitted location for that group in D.C. on Saturday–the closest instead is in Arlington, Virginia.
Watch the live shot below:
SEE ALSO | Man arrested for driving his SUV through 'No Kings' protest in Culpeper, none injured
Culpeper Police Department (CPD) arrested a man who drove his car into a crowd of protestors on Saturday, striking one of them, according to officials.
According to preliminary information from CPD, Joseph R. Checklick Jr, 21, intentionally sped his SUV into a dispersing "No Kings" protest near 801 James Madison Highway. One person was hit, but no injuries have been reported to authorities and the person that was struck has not been identified, police said.
