By Jen Schumann | Rocky Mountain Voice
A man in colonial uniform rode as George Washington on horseback during the Army’s 250th birthday military parade. It was the kickoff to one of the biggest military parades Washington has seen in decades.
More than 6,600 service members made their way through the city’s center, with crowds pressed along Constitution Avenue and the National Mall to take it all in.
From there, the Army’s long history moved forward in uniform. Regiments appeared in sequence, each dressed for their era — the Revolution, the Civil War, both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam and more recent conflicts. A narrator gave short intros as each group passed, offering just enough detail for onlookers to connect the pieces.
On the reviewing stand were President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and his family, First Lady Melania Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., members of Congress and Gold Star families. They were joined by veterans, military families and current Army leaders.
The 3rd Infantry Regiment, the Old Guard, led the way in full Revolutionary War dress. They are the oldest active infantry unit serving since 1784, now as a ceremonial detachment to the president. Following them were artillery crews, engineers, aviators and cavalry units representing later eras.
Army bands were scattered throughout the route. They played everything from field songs to base camp classics — music that had once echoed from tinny radios on faraway posts. Before each set, the emcee offered a few lines on who wrote it, where it came from and why it mattered to the troops who relied on it. The music didn’t just fill space. It helped carry the story.
The Golden Knights parachute team dropped near the Ellipse, landing one at a time with steady precision. A short time later, WWII planes flew overhead in tight formation.
Tanks clattered onto the avenue just as “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC ripped through the sound system. Tank operators grinned and waved. Hegseth caught the beat, smiled and nodded his head in rhythm to it.
Along the curb, veterans in patriotic ballcaps stood beside families waving flags and parents carried children on their shoulders for a better view. Phones were up everywhere, recording one unit after another.
Abram tanks, Apache helicopters and drones demonstrated the military might of America’s first fighting force. Mixed in with the dress uniforms and historical weapons were soldiers carrying the Army’s new M7 rifles, equipped with XM157 fire-control scopes.
The future of Army readiness was also displayed with Ghost robot dogs walking alongside service member operators.
Watching from home in Western Colorado, residents shared their reactions. “Love this parade! Tears and goosebumps. As the daughter of a Battle of the Bulge veteran, this hits home. A memory I’ll always treasure,” said Ann Duckett. Laureen Gutierrez commented, “It’s taking me back to my childhood. Growing up in Denver, they had big parades. My favorite part was the military marching to music by John Philip Sousa. Made me proud and grateful to be an AMERICAN! And humbled at the same time.”
President Trump stood and saluted troops multiple times throughout the parade. He also swore in 250 new and reenlisting Army soldiers.
The U.S. Army was formed on June 14, 1775 — months before independence was even declared. Two and a half centuries later, it’s still marching.
The parade can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/live/LTH9p7Gl5ME