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Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Revisit the Last Major U.S. National Military Parade of 1991
Soldiers who served in the Gulf War march along the streets of Washington, D.C., on June 8, 1991. Credit - Mark Reinstein—Getty Images To mark the 250th anniversary of the United States Army, Washington D.C. will play host to a national military parade on Saturday, June 14. The date also falls in line with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, but the U.S. Army has said it has no plans to mark the occasion alongside the parade. Either way, the President is still expected to play a significant role in the celebrations. But the event comes at a highly precarious time, amid nationwide protests which started in Los Angeles when people rallied against raids conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). After some of the protests descended into violence, Trump controversially deployed the National Guard and active-duty Marines to L.A. to quell the demonstrations. The move was made without a request from California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has since taken legal action against the Trump Administration. Amid backlash, the 'No Kings' movement is expected to hold nationwide protests against Trump on Saturday, including in Arlington, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. Speaking at the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump warned against people who planned to protest at the upcoming parade, telling reporters: "For those who want to protest, they're going to be met with very big force." Read More: L.A. Protests Intensify as Police Report 'Mass Arrests' Despite Curfew, While Trump Says City Is 'Lucky' He Got Involved Even prior to the recent escalated tension over immigration efforts, Trump's decision to hold the parade received criticism, especially from some Democratic lawmakers. Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, who is an Iraq War veteran, has called it an 'egotistical, nonsensical birthday parade.' While Sen. Adam Schiff of California described it as a 'dictator-style military parade' and accused Trump of spending millions of tax dollars to throw himself a 'birthday party.' The upcoming parade is expected to cost around $45 million, including $16 million in damages to roads after tanks and other heavy vehicles tour the streets of Washington. It's set to be a grand affair, involving an estimated 6,500 U.S. troops, 150 vehicles, and 50 aircraft. This is the first major national military parade in the U.S. since 1991. President George H. W. Bush held the event on June 8 that year, after the U.S. led a successful coalition in the Gulf War. As the U.S. gets ready for Trump's much-discussed June 14 military parade, here's everything you need to know about the last one that took place 34 years ago. The parade was held to celebrate the military success of the U.S.-led coalition in the Gulf War, which came to a conclusion in late February. The first phase of the war, named Operation Desert Shield, involved a military and personnel coalition in Saudi Arabia from August 1990 to January 1991, hashed out on the border with Kuwait which had been invaded by Iraq, under the eye of Saddam Hussein. On Jan. 17, 1991, the war entered its second phase, Operation Desert Storm, in which the U.S-led coalition orchestrated an aerial and naval bombardment of Iraqi forces in Kuwait. This was followed by a ground operation, which lasted for five days, concluding on Feb. 28, with Kuwait liberated and Iraqi forces expelled. On the evening that Desert Storm began, President Bush addressed the nation in a speech from the Oval Office, saying: 'I've told the American people before that this will not be another Vietnam, and I repeat this here tonight. Our troops will have the best possible support in the entire world, and they will not be asked to fight with one hand tied behind their back.' He added: 'This is an historic moment. We have in this past year made great progress in ending the long era of conflict and cold war. We have before us the opportunity to forge for ourselves and for future generations a new world order.' But it wasn't only the Gulf War occupying the minds of Americans during the 1991 military parade. Bill Allison, a professor of history at Georgia Southern University, says that the legacy of the Vietnam War, which ended in April 1975, was still very much felt. 'Vietnam was looming large in that rear-view mirror. Vietnam veterans didn't get a parade and the war was a hot mess,' he says. "[For symbolic reasons], there was also a group of Vietnam veterans invited to march in the 1991 parade and as Bush said, 'We've kicked the Vietnam syndrome.'' Connor Williams, a professor of history at Yale, says that this campaign changed the American mindset on the military. 'Desert Shield and Desert Storm provided a relationship with the military that had not been seen in a generation… The incredible swiftness and completeness of that victory left a lot to celebrate,' he notes. The Gulf War was also the first major conflict in which the U.S. deployed a fully voluntary military force after conscriptions in both World Wars, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. 'For the United States, [the parade] was a testament to the volunteer work force and that had been a very risky move at the time,' says Allison. The parade is estimated to have cost around $12 million, which adjusted for inflation, translates to roughly £28 million today. An estimated $5 million dollars in 1991 was raised by the volunteer Homecoming Foundation, established to support military personnel returning from the Gulf and to help coordinate the parade. Around 700 foundation volunteers were also present to help the clean-up operation. Although, with roughly 8,000 troops marching through the streets of the nation's capital, the show of military might attracted a far smaller crowd than expected. Only 200,000 showed up to the parade early in the day, with numbers peaking later in the evening, when around 800,000 were present for the glittering fireworks display. Whilst there were some, such as anti-war protesters and people concerned about the cost, who voiced disapproval over the parade, there didn't appear to be too much criticism from lawmakers, according to historians. "One thing that will always unite politicians is supporting the troops, [even though] there's different opinions on how the troops should be supported," Williams says, adding that this sentiment can change if there is no notable military success to honor. 'In 1991, it was very much a campaign event for everybody. The salute Bush exchanged with Norman Schwarzkopf [a U.S. Army General during the Gulf War] was highly photographed. There was a [presidential] election the next year and there was a lot of B-roll happening because Bush and Democratic leaders wanted to be seen shaking hands and supporting the troops,' Williams says. The only significant demonstration was a group of anti-war activists delivering speeches in Lafayette Park, on the opposite side of the White House to the parade, which went down Constitution Avenue. In January 1991, during the conflict in Kuwait, thousands of protestors attended multiple anti-war demonstrations, centered around humanitarian worries. Read More: Veterans Condemn Trump's 'Misuse of Military Power' Amid L.A. Protests Experts tell TIME that, generally speaking, there are three key reasons behind military parades, including the one held in 1991: Celebrating the troops Rallying the public Sending a message to other countries 'In 1991, it was more about rallying the people and celebrating the troops. To some extent, the U.S. didn't need to display power like the Soviets did. The power had already been displayed. People had been watching the capability of the U.S. military on the nightly news,' says Williams. 'Not everyone [tanks and personnel] rolled down Pennsylvania avenue to give off that effect. It was more a way for people to celebrate what they thought was emerging, a unipolar world.' As for Trump's upcoming parade on June 14, Williams says that it "will be interesting" to see how U.S. strength is displayed anew. 'Will it be demonstrated in a peaceful way or in attack mode? How will the people respond?' That remains to be seen. Contact us at letters@
Time Magazine
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Time Magazine
A Look Back at the Last Major U.S. National Military Parade in 1991
To mark the 250th anniversary of the United States Army, Washington D.C. will play host to a national military parade on Saturday, June 14. The date also falls in line with President Donald Trump 's 79th birthday, but the U.S. Army has said it has no plans to mark the occasion alongside the parade. Either way, the President is still expected to play a significant role in the celebrations. But the event comes at a highly precarious time, amid nationwide protests which started in Los Angeles when people rallied against raids conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). After some of the protests descended into violence, Trump controversially deployed the National Guard and active-duty Marines to L.A. to quell the demonstrations. The move was made without a request from California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has taken legal action against the Trump Administration. Amid backlash, the 'No Kings' movement is expected to hold nationwide protests against Trump on Saturday, including in Arlington, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. Speaking at the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump warned against people who planned to protest at the upcoming parade, telling reporters:"For those who want to protest, they're going to be met with very big force." Even prior to the recent escalated tension over immigration efforts, Trump's decision to hold the parade received criticism, especially from some Democratic lawmakers. Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, who is an Iraq War veteran, has called it an 'egotistical, nonsensical birthday parade.' While Sen. Adam Schiff of California described it as a ' dictator-style military parade ' and accused Trump of spending millions of tax dollars to throw himself a 'birthday party.' The upcoming parade is expected to cost around $45 million, including $16 million in damages to roads after tanks and other heavy vehicles tour the streets of Washington. It's set to be a grand affair, involving an estimated 6,500 U.S. troops, 150 vehicles, and 50 aircraft. This is the first major national military parade in the U.S. since 1991. President George H. W. Bush held the event on June 8 that year, after the U.S. led a successful coalition in the Gulf War. As the U.S. gets ready for Trump's much-discussed June 14 military parade, here's everything you need to know about the last one that took place 34 years ago. Why exactly was the 1991 military parade held? The parade was held to celebrate the military success of the U.S.-led coalition in the Gulf War, which came to a conclusion in late February. The first phase of the war, named Operation Desert Shield, involved a military and personnel coalition in Saudi Arabia from August 1990 to January 1991, hashed out on the border with Kuwait which had been invaded by Iraq, under the eye of Saddam Hussein. On Jan. 17, 1991, the war entered its second phase, Operation Desert Storm, in which the U.S-led coalition orchestrated an aerial and naval bombardment of Iraqi forces in Kuwait. This was followed by a ground operation, which lasted for five days, concluding on Feb. 28, with Kuwait liberated and Iraqi forces expelled. On the evening that Desert Storm began, President Bush addressed the nation in a speech from the Oval Office, saying: 'I've told the American people before that this will not be another Vietnam, and I repeat this here tonight. Our troops will have the best possible support in the entire world, and they will not be asked to fight with one hand tied behind their back.' He added: 'This is an historic moment. We have in this past year made great progress in ending the long era of conflict and cold war. We have before us the opportunity to forge for ourselves and for future generations a new world order.' But it wasn't only the Gulf War occupying the minds of Americans during the 1991 military parade. Bill Allison, a professor of history at Georgia Southern University, says that the legacy of the Vietnam War, which ended in April 1975, was still very much felt. 'Vietnam was looming large in that rear-view mirror. Vietnam veterans didn't get a parade and the war was a hot mess,' he says. "[For symbolic reasons], there was also a group of Vietnam veterans invited to march in the 1991 parade and as Bush said, ' We've kicked the Vietnam syndrome.'' Connor Williams, a professor of history at Yale, says that this campaign changed the American mindset on the military. 'Desert Shield and Desert Storm provided a relationship with the military that had not been seen in a generation… The incredible swiftness and completeness of that victory left a lot to celebrate,' he notes. The Gulf War was also the first major conflict in which the U.S. deployed a fully voluntary military force after conscriptions in both World Wars, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. 'For the United States, [the parade] was a testament to the volunteer work force and that had been a very risky move at the time,' says Allison. How much did the 1991 military parade cost? The parade is estimated to have cost around $12 million, which adjusted for inflation, translates to roughly £28 million today. An estimated $5 million dollars in 1991 was raised by the volunteer Homecoming Foundation, established to support military personnel returning from the Gulf and to help coordinate the parade. Around 700 foundation volunteers were also present to help the clean-up operation. Although, with roughly 8,000 troops marching through the streets of the nation's capital, the show of military might attracted a far smaller crowd than expected. Only 200,000 showed up to the parade early in the day, with numbers peaking later in the evening, when around 800,000 were present for the glittering fireworks display. Was there criticism of the 1991 military parade? Whilst there were some, such as anti-war protesters and people concerned about the cost, who voiced disapproval over the parade, there didn't appear to be too much criticism from lawmakers, according to historians. "One thing that will always unite politicians is supporting the troops, [even though] there's different opinions on how the troops should be supported," Williams says, adding that this sentiment can change if there is no notable military success to honor. 'In 1991, it was very much a campaign event for everybody. The salute Bush exchanged with Norman Schwarzkopf [a U.S. Army General during the Gulf War] was highly photographed. There was a [presidential] election the next year and there was a lot of B-roll happening because Bush and Democratic leaders wanted to be seen shaking hands and supporting the troops,' Williams says. The only significant demonstration was a group of anti-war activists delivering speeches in Lafayette Park, on the opposite side of the White House to the parade, which went down Constitution Avenue. In January 1991, during the conflict in Kuwait, thousands of protestors attended multiple anti-war demonstrations, centered around humanitarian worries. What was the message being sent at the 1991 military parade? Experts tell TIME that, generally speaking, there are three key reasons behind military parades, including the one held in 1991: Celebrating the troops Rallying the public Sending a message to other countries 'In 1991, it was more about rallying the people and celebrating the troops. To some extent, the U.S. didn't need to display power like the Soviets did. The power had already been displayed. People had been watching the capability of the U.S. military on the nightly news,' says Williams. 'Not everyone [tanks and personnel] rolled down Pennsylvania avenue to give off that effect. It was more a way for people to celebrate what they thought was emerging, a unipolar world.' As for Trump's upcoming parade on June 14, Williams says that it 'will be interesting' to see how U.S. strength is displayed anew. 'Will it be demonstrated in a peaceful way or in attack mode? How will the people respond?' That remains to be seen.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
3 veterans presented Quilts of Valor at Glen Lyon American Legion
May 29—GLEN LYON — The Glen Lyon American Legion Post 539 and VFW Post 8353 recently held a Memorial Day Quilt of Valor ceremony honoring three veterans for their service to our country. The honorees were presented with patriotic quilts, crafted by members of the NEPA Quilts of Valor Chapter, in recognition of their courage and sacrifices, which will never be forgotten. —Corrine Linker, of Nanticoke, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1983 and trained as a Radio Operator. She served in Stuttgart, Germany, with Unit 75 Administration Seventh Corps Headquarters and the 2nd Armored Division in Carlstadt, Germany. She also served at Edgewood Arsenal, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md. During her tenure, she served in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and in Somalia for Operation Restore. Linker received the Bronze Star, Kuwait Ribbon and Meritorious Service Award among others. Prior to her honorable discharge, Linker served at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, completing 11 years of military service. She is the Commander of the Glen Lyon Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8353. —Joseph Molski, of Wanamie, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force following graduation from Newport Township High School in 1952. After basic training at Sampson Air Force Base, Geneva, N.Y., and training as a radio operator, he later transitioned to the role of clerk serving at Kindley Air Force Base, Bermuda. He then served in Wiesbaden, Germany, for two years with the Military Air Transport Wing providing top-secret administrative support to the adjutant. After returning to the U.S., our honoree served with the Atlantic Division Military Air Transport Service, McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. He received an honorable discharge in 1956, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. He has been a member of both Glen Lyon posts for 65 years and past commander for many years. He now serves as Chaplain. —Timothy Derr, of Unityville, enlisted in the U.S. Marines shortly after graduating from Newport Township High School in 1967. After basic training at Parris Island, S.C., he completed intensive infantry training at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and further underwent jungle warfare training in San Diego, Calif. Deployed to Vietnam in 1968, he joined the 1st Marine Division in DaNang, serving as a Lance Corporal and squad leader during major fire fights as part of I-Corps located nearest North Vietnam. The honoree earned the Vietnam Campaign and Vietnam Service Medals and Combat Action Ribbon. He concluded his active service in 1970 and subsequently joined the Marine Corps Reserves, where he received an honorable discharge in 1974. He serves as finance officer of the Glen Lyon American Legion and quartermaster of the VFW. For information on the NEPA Quilts of Valor Chapter, email nepaqov@ or visit the chapter's Facebook page at Northeast PA Quilts of Valor. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
New York Post
28-05-2025
- General
- New York Post
SEAL Team Six alum named advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff: DoD
A former member of SEAL Team Six has been named the highest ranking enlisted official and an advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, military officials announced Tuesday. Navy Fleet Master Chief David Isom, once a member of Navy Special Warfare Development Group commonly called SEAL Team Six, will become the sixth Senior Enlisted Advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, according to the Department of Defense. The SEAC position was created in 2005 and is considered the most senior enlisted leader, according to Task and Purpose. Advertisement Navy Fleet Master Chief David Isom is the new Senior Enlisted Advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Department of Defense announced Tuesday. U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Anthony J. Rivera Master Chief Isom has a long resume of active duty service including combat and operational deployments in Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and other stints through the Pacific and the Horn of Africa, according to his official biography. The career soldier also deployed with SEAL Team 1 during his illustrious career, according to that biography. Advertisement During his service career, Isom won four Bronze Star Medals, including two with distinction for valor, two Combat Action Ribbons, and a Presidential Unity Citation, Task and Purpose reported. 'Master Chief Isom's assignments have included a full range of duties in Sea, Air, Land (SEAL) Teams at Theater Special Operations Commands and across the joint environment,' the newly minted SEAC's biography read. Isom won four Bronze Star Medals during his combat career that included tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Marine Corps/Cpl. Dean Gurule Most recently, Isom has served as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for US Indo-Pacific Command. Advertisement Isom joined the Navy in 1987, inspired by his Korean War Army veteran father and a love of the ocean that he discovered while surfing off the coast of his native North Carolina, he revealed in an interview in 2022. The decorated SEAL revealed that he was promoted to the rank of Chief Petty Officer around the time of September 11th, 2001, and was soon deployed to the Middle East. After losing 'teammates' while fighting in Afghanistan in Iraq, Isom said he learned, 'the key role of leaders and caring for people and developing other leaders,' according to that interview. Master Chief Isom is replacing current SEAC Troy E. Black, the DoD said in the release.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Navy SEAL Team 6 operator will be the military's new top enlisted leader
Navy Fleet Master Chief David Isom, a former member of Navy Special Warfare Development Group, or DEVGRU — commonly referred to as SEAL Team Six — has been selected to serve as the U.S. military's next top enlisted leader, defense officials announced on Tuesday. Currently serving as the command senior enlisted leader for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Isom will become the sixth service member to serve as the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, or SEAC, since the position was created in 2005. Although the SEAC is considered the U.S. military's most senior enlisted leader, the job involves serving as an advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff rather than as a direct supervisor within a chain of command. Isom enlisted in the Navy in 1987, and after passing Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training, or BUD/S, he went on to deploy with units that include DEVGRU, Naval Special Warfare Group 10, Special Reconnaissance Team 2, and SEAL Team 1, according to his official biography. 'His combat and operational deployments include Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as deployments throughout the Pacific and the Horn of Africa,' his biography says. Isom's military awards include four Bronze Star Medals, including two with 'V' devices for valor; two Combat Action Ribbons; and a Presidential Unit Citation, according to his service record. Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, selected Isom to be the next SEAC following two rounds of interviews, a Joint Staff spokesperson told Task & Purpose on Tuesday. Isom will replace Marine Sgt. Maj. Troy Black, who is leaving the job after serving as SEAC for two years. The change of office is tentatively scheduled for mid-to-late June. Black previously served as the sergeant major of the Marine Corps before he was selected as the SEAC by Army Gen. Mark Milley, and he initially served as the senior enlisted advisor to Air Force Gen. Charles 'CQ' Brown Jr., whom President Donald Trump fired as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in February. 18 Army Rangers suspended for allegedly firing blanks at Florida beach Hegseth announces accountability review of Afghanistan withdrawal Coast Guard rescue swimmers saved a worker stuck in hardening concrete after roof collapse This National Guard unit went completely analog to simulate a cyber attack Fewer reenlistment options for soldiers amid high Army retention
