<p><em>By Jennifer A Dlouhy</em></p><p>President Donald Trump will host a military parade marking the 250th birthday of the US Army — as well as his own 79th birthday — on June 14, the administration announced Friday.</p><p>The event will include a “spectacular fireworks display, a parade, and a day-long festival on the National Mall,” the US Army said in a statement. The parade is expected to involve some 6,600 soldiers as well as 150 military vehicles and 50 aircraft, according to the Pentagon.</p>.Trump says US in transition period, downplays impact of short-term recession.<p>“The festival will feature displays of Army equipment, military demonstrations, musical performances, and a fitness competition,” the statement said. “Given the significant milestone of 250 years, the Army is exploring options to make the celebration even bigger, with more capability demonstrations, additional displays of equipment, and more engagement with the community.”</p><p>Trump has been eager to host a military parade ever since attending a Bastille Day parade in Paris during his first term. But city officials in Washington warned that heavy military vehicles could damage city streets, and the price tag — estimated at tens of millions of dollars — became a political liability.</p><p>The last major military parade in the US capital was in 1991, to celebrate the end of the Gulf War.</p><p>Trump hinted at the festivities Thursday during a prayer event at the White House.</p><p>“So there’s something happening on Flag Day, it’s my birthday,” Trump said.</p>
<p><em>By Jennifer A Dlouhy</em></p><p>President Donald Trump will host a military parade marking the 250th birthday of the US Army — as well as his own 79th birthday — on June 14, the administration announced Friday.</p><p>The event will include a “spectacular fireworks display, a parade, and a day-long festival on the National Mall,” the US Army said in a statement. The parade is expected to involve some 6,600 soldiers as well as 150 military vehicles and 50 aircraft, according to the Pentagon.</p>.Trump says US in transition period, downplays impact of short-term recession.<p>“The festival will feature displays of Army equipment, military demonstrations, musical performances, and a fitness competition,” the statement said. “Given the significant milestone of 250 years, the Army is exploring options to make the celebration even bigger, with more capability demonstrations, additional displays of equipment, and more engagement with the community.”</p><p>Trump has been eager to host a military parade ever since attending a Bastille Day parade in Paris during his first term. But city officials in Washington warned that heavy military vehicles could damage city streets, and the price tag — estimated at tens of millions of dollars — became a political liability.</p><p>The last major military parade in the US capital was in 1991, to celebrate the end of the Gulf War.</p><p>Trump hinted at the festivities Thursday during a prayer event at the White House.</p><p>“So there’s something happening on Flag Day, it’s my birthday,” Trump said.</p>