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Yomiuri Shimbun
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
How Trump's Military Parade Compares to Others around The Globe
Matt McClain/The Washington Post Black Hawk helicopters fly over Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington, Virginia, during a celebration Wednesday of the Army's 250th anniversary. President Donald Trump is set to realize on Saturday, as he turns 79, one of his long-standing ambitions: to host a major military parade in Washington. While the idea might be novel for many Americans, military parades are common spectacles in many parts of the world. Trump was so taken by France's Bastille Day ceremonies in 2017 that he vowed to match or top them. 'It was one of the greatest parades I've ever seen,' Trump told reporters of the French festivities. Under authoritarian regimes and strong democracies, as part of centuries-old traditions or to celebrate new victories, uniformed soldiers, horses, tanks and even missiles roll down thoroughfares in displays of might bound up in power projection and national identity. 'Americans aren't used to seeing these kinds of parades,' said David Kieran, historian of war and society in contemporary U.S. culture at Columbus State University in Georgia. Ceremonial military reviews and parades celebrated wartime victories when the United States was a young republic through World War I, but the U.S. doesn't have a modern tradition of public military parades. Since the end of World War II, the United States has put on only one major military parade: the National Victory Celebration in Washington after the 1991 Gulf War, under President George H.W. Bush. Troops marched and tanks rolled down Constitution Avenue. Celebrations for the war lasted longer than the war itself, said David Fitzgerald, historian of the U.S. military at University College Cork in Ireland. The homecoming of Vietnam War veterans was generally subdued, amid roiling debates, political fights and social unrest over the draft and the war. The first Gulf War, and the military parade in the capital, 'was the chance to say: America's back and the American military's back,' Fitzgerald said. Around the world, parades tell national stories, he said. 'Any effort in memorialization is an effort to say this is who we are, this is what we believe, this what we value, these are the stories that matter to us … and help us understand how we're going to engage with the rest of the world,' Kieran said. Here are some notable military parades around the world: France France holds an annual military parade to celebrate Bastille Day, which commemorates the storming by revolutionaries in 1789 of the Bastille, an old fortress turned state prison that came to symbolize monarchical tyranny. A tradition since 1880 and major focal point in the historical memory of the French revolutionary era, it's the oldest and largest military parade in Europe – with about 6,500 people marching, 200 horses, 219 vehicles and almost 100 planes and helicopters. The tradition began after the country's wars with Prussia, and served as a 'reassertion of French military might,' Fitzgerald said. The tradition serves a ceremonial purpose – but has also served diplomatic aims. In 2023, an Indian army contingent marched down the Champs-Élysées in the parade, before a crowd that included that year's guest of honor, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The year prior, the parade served as a salute to Ukraine, five months after Russia invaded the country. In 2017, Trump told a reporter he thought the parade was a 'tremendous thing for France and for the spirit of France.' Russia Russia has commemorated Victory Day to celebrate the Soviet Union's victory over the Nazis in the Second World War. Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin initially downplayed the holiday, in the immediate wake of the massive Soviet death toll, but it grew into a major celebration and commemoration. For Russian President Vladimir Putin, it has served to project confidence with foreign leaders in attendance, even as supporters of Ukraine seek to isolate Russia. In last month's Victory Day parade, Moscow showcased Iskander ballistic missiles, rocket launchers and heavy flamethrower systems used in Ukraine. Nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles rolled through Red Square. Britain For more than 260 years, Britain has held a ceremony, including a parade, called Trooping the Colour, to celebrate the birthday of the monarch. In King Charles II's first parade, 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 300 musicians took part. This year's parade is to take place the same day as Trump's – which happens to fall on his birthday. Trooping the Colour and similar displays of pageantry play a major role in the royal family's image. They 'realized that to survive, they needed to tie in with a lot of pomp and circumstance and to make themselves sort of visible to the public in that way,' Fitzgerald said. North Korea North Korea puts on heavily publicized military parades marking various events and holidays – including the founding of the military, the republic and the Workers' Party of Korea. Sometimes, intercontinental ballistic missiles roll through Pyongyang. One parade in 2023 showcased at least 11 Hwasong-17 ICBMs. 'Our military powers have developed and evolved to an extent that no one else can dream of or amount to,' North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said at a parade in 2020, speaking from a new grand marble podium. India India holds its annual military parade on Republic Day, which celebrates the adoption of the Indian constitution. Barack Obama became the first U.S. president to attend in 2015. China Every decade, to mark the anniversary of Mao Zedong's proclamation establishing the People's Republic of China, the People's Liberation Army and Chinese Communist Party put on a parade with 100,000 performers including thousands of soldiers. In 2009, the parade included not just troop and equipment formations but also a 'pageant' of grand floats surrounded by about 2,000 marchers, with themes such as 'Struggling and Initiating,' 'Scientific Development,' and 'Brilliant Achievement.' Iran Iran hosts a military parade on 'Sacred Defense Week,' marking the day Iraq started an eight-year war against Iran. 'This occasion offers a chance to reflect on the heroic sacrifices made by the brave individuals of our homeland, reminding everyone, particularly the youth, that the notion of global arrogance's invincibility took shape shortly after the Islamic Revolution's success,' the Iranian Armed Forces said ahead of last year's ceremonies. United States Historically, the U.S. staged military parades 'at the end of conflicts where there's been a decisive victory,' Kieran said. The Korean War, Vietnam War and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan ended on terms that left Americans without a clear victory and raised questions among segments of the public about the role the U.S. military in the world. 'They weren't really events that lent themselves to the kind of celebratory environment that a parade creates,' Kieran said. The 1991 welcome-home celebration parade after Operation Desert Storm included 8,800 people marching with Patriot missiles systems and Abrams tanks. Part of the $12 million festivities was a seven-block-long display of weaponry that helped defeat Iraq. Saturday's parade on Trump's birthday is a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. 'The military remains a deeply respected institution in American life,' Kieran said. But 'recognition of the service member' is often 'separated from the wars that those service members fight in.'
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Columbus State President Dr. Stuart Rayfield travels to South Korea
SEOUL, South Korea () — Dr. Stuart Rayfield has taken plenty of business trips in her time as Columbus State University President, but this was her first time travelling to South Korea on behalf of CSU. 'I'm here from June 1st, we left on the 1st and arrived on the 2nd and we leave on the 11th. And I'm already thinking about what it's like when I'm come back to South Korea,' said Rayfield. Her mission in South Korea was to expand CSU's relationship with multiple South Korean institutes. President Rayfield met with two universities and the K-Entrepreneur Institute. K-Entrepreneur actually has a unique story, because it was once an elementary school. The school became a business school because some of the country's most successful alumni. 'The founders of LG, Samsung and GS all went to the same elementary school at around the same time,' said Rayfield. While South Korea and Columbus are worlds apart, Dr. Rayfield explained there are some powerful lessons she's learned about leadership. 'They're really all founded on servant leadership,' said Rayfield. 'That has been really meaningful conversations to be able to connect what we do in Columbus, Georgia and the values of what's important to us.' Several students and CSU faculty also travelled to South Korea along with Dr. Rayfield. The group has visited multiple cultural stops that included Buddhist temples, national landmarks and schools. It was also undeniable to see how the CSU students world view expanded on this trip. 'So the students got to talk about what we're some of their expectations coming to Korea and what have their experiences been like since they've been here,' Rayfield said. 'It's one of the most powerful things of this trip…was sitting there during this trip during that hour long bus ride and hearing from students.' Dr. Rayfield realized in just these few days in South Korea how important the international relationship is between the Peach State and South Korea. 'South Korea is the 3rd largest foreign investor in the state of Georgia,' Rayfield said. 'We have an opportunity to build some great relationships and I look forward to that.' Dr. Rayfield ends her visit in South Korea on June 11th. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Columbus State Cougars making connections in South Korea
SEOUL, South Korea (WRBL) – While most Columbus State University students aren't in class this summer, some students and CSU President Dr. Stuart Rayfield are in South Korea. In this foreign exchange program they are learning about South Korean culture first CSU contingent is spending 10 days in South Korea. Dr. Rayfield went to South Korea to look for new academic and economic opportunities with a focus on the country's direct investment in Georgia. South Korea is one of the top five investors in the Peach State. June 6th is also Korean Memorial Day. It's a holiday dedicated to honor the soldiers and civilians that died in war, specifically the Korean War. Dr. Rayfield says this trip and holiday underlines the importance of the partnership between the U.S. and South Korea. 'It really puts a lot into perspective how important our relationship is with South Korea,' Dr. Rayfield said. 'It's not just a military connection or relationship. It's an economic relationship. It's a cultural relationship. So being here today specifically and earlier this week they had their SNAP election. Just really felt a sense of pride in the community and a sense of love of country.' This is Dr. Rayfield's first time to visit South Korea, and she plans to meet up with the CSU students in South Korea this weekend. The CSU contingent plans to return back to the Fountain City on June 11th. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘One-of-a-kind exhibition' in Columbus chronicles astronaut's space missions
A new exhibition in Columbus offers a glimpse into space through the eyes of an astronaut who went there and did that not once but three times. Photographs from retired NASA astronaut Dave Scott's three space missions are on display at the Columbus State University Bo Bartlett Center through Aug. 2. The exhibition, titled 'Images from Space that Fire the Imagination' features images from Scott's missions aboard Gemini VIII, Apollo 9, and Apollo 15. 'Americans have always been explorers. They've always been cutting edge. They've always thought out of the box,' Tina Cross, coordinator of external funding at Columbus State University's Coca-Cola Space Science Center told the Ledger-Enquirer, 'and these astronauts led the way to finding things that are just Earth-shaking or Moon-shaking, as the case may be.' Included in the exhibition are photographs taken by Scott, including one he took of Apollo 15 Lunar Module Pilot Jim Irwin working on the Moon near the Lunar Rover. The show is a collaboration between the Bo Bartlett Center and the Coca-Cola Space Science Center, featuring items from Scott's personal collection that have been donated to the CCSSC via Scott's brother, Tom Scott, who worked with the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce. 'He was familiar with the Space Science Center from its initial stages,' Cross said, 'and so, about eight or nine years ago, he started bringing things from Dave to us. And the first pictures he brought are here.' The Bo Bartlett Center is at 921 Front Ave. in downtown Columbus. It is open Tuesdays-Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
Miracle Riders return to Columbus
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — Scott Ressmeyer and the Miracle Riders are back in Columbus after 21 days on the road, closing out a nearly 10,000 mile journey to raise money for the CSU nursing program. Friday evening, the Miracle Riders made one final stop at Covenant Woods retirement community, where residents were the first to welcome the riders home. The group traveled through 34 states, delivering handwritten letters from loved ones in the Chattahoochee Valley. The homecoming continued in Uptown Columbus, where the riders were greeted with hugs, cheers, and a check for $227,950, funds that will go towards the neonatal intensive care simulation lab at Columbus State University. For 17 years, the Miracle Riders have carried messages from the community to cities across the country. This year's Pony Express theme brought a personal touch with each handwritten letter. A final handwritten note from the Miracle Riders was delivered on horseback to Mayor Skip Henderson and CSU President Stuart Rayfield to cap off the Pony Express Ride. The Miracle Riders have now raised a total of $827,950 for CSU's pediatric nursing program, and they say they're not done yet. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
