(Yes, I said I was taking the day off — and I did, for the most part. But this has made me angry enough that I just had to jump in and share it. So I’m back, a few hours early.)

The first time I read about it, I assumed — wrongly — that it was a joke. I should have recalled the old advice, “Never assume anything.”

Because yesterday, I saw yet another article about potential plans for an over-the-top military parade on Donald Trump’s 79th birthday on June 14th: an extravaganza, presumably up Pennsylvania Avenue in our nation’s capital, calling for “more than 6600 soldiers, at least 150 vehicles, 50 helicopters, seven bands and possibly a couple [of] thousand civilians.” [Associated Press, May 1, 2025.]

Apparently, this year marks the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army, and a festival on the National Mall in June has been in the planning stages for some time. But the Trumph Triumphal (my name for it) is something that has been newly included in the Army’s most recent plans, dated April 29th and 30th.

According to the information available to the AP, no price estimate for this additional feature was given; but the type of parade described — one that, for some not-so-mysterious reason, brings to mind the sort of military exhibitions common in Moscow’s Red Square — would involve “the movement of military vehicles, equipment, aircraft and troops from across the country to Washington and the need to feed and house thousands of service members.” [Id.]

And that doesn’t take into account the likely damage to Pennsylvania Avenue from the weight of those tanks and trucks!

The plans foresee “bringing in soldiers from at least 11 corps and divisions nationwide. Those could include a Stryker battalion with two companies of Stryker vehicles, a tank battalion and two companies of tanks, an infantry battalion with Bradley vehicles, Paladin artillery vehicles, Howitzers and infantry vehicles.” [Id.]

The official word from the Army is that no final decisions have been made. But one Army spokesman, Colonel Dave Butler, said they’re very excited about the event:

“We want to make it into an event that the entire nation can celebrate with us. We want Americans to know their Army and their soldiers. A parade might become part of that, and we think that will be an excellent addition to what we already have planned.” [Id.]

What do I think about the whole thing? Well, since you asked . . .

I think a tribute to the U.S. Army is a wonderful idea, and the National Mall is the perfect spot for it: a huge area, open to the public (not on a military base), the site of many a memorable event in the past. Our men and women in uniform deserve recognition, and such an event might serve to bring people together in a moment of patriotic appreciation of what the United States really has stood for over the past 250 years.

But the addition of such a parade — specifically in tribute to the birthday of an individual who has done nothing but divide the country, destroy the morale of its people, and reduce it to a laughingstock in the eyes of the rest of the world — is an abomination.

Not to mention a waste of tens of millions of dollars . . . money stolen from the life-affirming programs Trump has decimated in his first 100 days in office. There is simply no way that can be justified. None.

So, if this parade plan actually does move forward and become a reality, I say . . .

DON’T GO. Boycott the parade.

Don’t stay home; do, by all means, attend the festivities on the Mall, and pay homage to the true heroes of this nation. Just stay off of the parade route.

Sometimes, absence is the loudest form of protest.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
5/2/25