‘It’s a good time to be proud to be American,’ attendee says
Shelly and John Legg from Oklahoma were standing in the parade’s special guest section with their two sons. John Legg is a retired colonel of 34 years in the Army.
He’s never seen anything like what’s anticipated to come — tanks rolling down the streets of D.C.
“It’s a good time to be proud to be American,” Legg said.
Asked about the notion of military members being deployed to protests in California over immigration, Legg said it’s been done before and is in response to destruction of the city.
Legg said he supports peaceful protest, but violence is not acceptable. “That’s why we serve, so people can speak their mind, but it has to be done in peace.”
WASHINGTON (AP) — The grand military parade that President Donald Trump had been wanting for years barreled down Constitution Avenue on Saturday with tanks, troops and a 21-gun salute, playing out against the counterpoint of protests around the country by those who decried the U.S. leader as a dictator and would-be king.
The Republican president, on his 79th birthday, 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 dark 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 this year, when the parade was added to an event recognizing the Army's 250th anniversary. In addition, it's Flag Day.
Up above, the Army’s Golden Knights parachute team appeared in the overcast sky, descending toward the reviewing stand. The team had been scheduled to jump at the end of the parade, but appeared in the skies above the National Mall far earlier than planned as a light rain fell.
At times, Trump stood and saluted as troops marched past the reviewing stand.
Hours before the parade started, demonstrators turned out in streets and parks around the nation to sound off against the Republican president. They criticized Trump for using the military to respond to people protesting his deportation efforts and for the muscular military show in the U.S. capital.
In Washington, anti-war protesters unfurled signs that said “Homes not drones” not far from a display of armored vehicles, helicopters and military-grade equipment on the National Mall set up to commemorate the Army’s birthday.
The parade wound down Constitution Avenue, lined with security fencing and barriers. A flyover of military aircraft included World War II-era planes, including a B-25 Mitchell bomber, and army helicopters flew low over the crowd, below the top of the Washington Monument. Mounted soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division made an appearance — horses once played a crucial role in warfare, but today they’re mostly used in ceremonial events like today’s parade.
The night also was to include a concert featuring “God Bless the U.S.A.” singer Lee Greenwood and fireworks. Trump also was expected to swear in 250 new or reenlisting troops.
“No Kings” rallies unfolded in hundreds of cities, designed to counter what organizers said were Trump’s plans to feed his ego on his 79th birthday and flag day. Organizers said they picked the name to support democracy and speak out against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration.
