Latest news with #Strykers
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Yahoo
Soldiers excited (and nerve wracked) to drive tanks in DC military parade
WASHINGTON – On blistering summer days, the sprawling, tree-shaded park on the banks of the Potomac River is usually populated by tourists and June 11, the park was fenced off to civilians, and soldiers in fatigues roamed the area. Dozens of tanks and armored vehicles lined its streets in preparation to roll through the capital this weekend in the Army's 250th anniversary parade. Lt. Kaessey Thompson looked on in anticipation at the tanks. "I'm super excited," said Thompson, who volunteered to ride one of the tanks in the June 14 parade. "It's going to be a great experience." "It's definitely a once-in-a-lifetime event," said Sgt. Timothy Reid, who was standing beside a nearby Bradley armored vehicle. Amid the sweltering summer heat, the soldiers kept busy. Several in helmets climbed on the top of a tank, one wielding a wrench to make adjustments. Another opened the top hatch of a Stryker and deftly climbed inside. Specialist Jonas Chu, a Stryker driver, said the experience means facing "new places, a lot of new crowds, and some pressure, because you're here with the Army." "It's really fun, and honestly nerve-wracking, but I'm excited to be here," he added. Chu said the Strykers are already mission capable – getting them ready for the parade is just a matter of a little shining and polishing. Reid has operated Bradley fighting vehicles for nearly a decade, but never on the streets of a U.S. city. "I've done different trips throughout Germany... but nothing on the level of what's going to be happening in D.C.," he said. The tanks and armored vehicles arrived in Jessup, Maryland, on June 9 after a cross-country journey by train from Fort Cavazos in Texas. They were then strapped onto trucks and hauled to the park less than a mile from the Lincoln Memorial, where they will remain in place until the day of the parade. City officials have voiced concern about the toll the tanks' tracks could take on Washington's roads. In preparation, the Army Corps of Engineers has anchored steel plates along the parade route at spots where the tanks will make a turn. Most of those points are on the traffic circle surrounding the Lincoln Memorial, according to an Army map shared with reporters. Although the Army has said it would pay for any damage to the roads, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said in late May she was still "concerned." Soldiers said they were aware of the controversy surrounding the parade and concerns that it doubled as a birthday celebration for the president but said their work in Washington was focused on their duty as members of the military. "It's a coincidence that it happens on the same day," said Reid, the Bradley operator. Chu, a Stryker driver, said his "main mission" is celebrating the Army's birthday. "Any other ones, that's just an added bonus." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Soldiers excited (and nervous) to drive tanks in DC military parade
The Herald Scotland
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
What we know about the cost of Trump's DC military parade and festival
The parade, which will feature Army equipment, flyovers, musical performances and thousands of soldiers in uniforms from the past and the present, caps off a week of programming designed to showcase the country's military power. Trump posted a short video address about the parade to Truth Social earlier this month, inviting Americans to what he called an "unforgettable" celebration, "one like you've never seen before." June 14 parade guide: What time is Trump's DC military parade? See full festival schedule How much will the DC military parade cost? All that pageantry comes with a price tag. Officials initially estimated the Army Birthday Festival and parade would range in cost from $25 million to $45 million, but the Army's latest estimate totaled $40 million, as USA TODAY's Tom Vanden Brook previously reported, citing a Defense official who was not authorized to speak publicly. The Army Corps of Engineers told USA TODAY it is "not expecting damage" to the roads of the nation's capital due to the parade, which will see dozens of huge military vehicles, including more than two dozen tanks, fighting vehicles and Strykers and two types of armored ground combat vehicles, roll through D.C. streets. Yet if damage is incurred, an army official managing the event said the Army will be responsible. 'No Kings Day': Protests planned for June 14 with aim to reclaim the American flag When is the DC military parade? The day kicks off at about 8:15 a.m. ET with a wreath-laying ceremony headed by Sec. of Defense Pete Hegseth at Arlington National Cemetery. It will be livestreamed here, and followed by a succession of all-day events including an evening parade and wrapping up with a fireworks display. The parade, along with several other events and concerts, will also be livestreamed. Organizers say the procession begins at 6:30 p.m. ET. DC military parade: See full festival schedule Contributing: Tom Vanden Brook and Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY. Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her atkapalmer@ and on X @KathrynPlmr.
USA Today
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
How much will Trump's military parade cost? Here's what we know
How much will Trump's military parade cost? Here's what we know Show Caption Hide Caption Trump warns military parade protesters will be met with 'big force' President Donald Trump warned people against protesting in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary. This weekend, the National Mall in Washington, D.C. will play host to the largest military parade in the U.S. in decades, replete with thousands of soldiers, tanks, parachute jumpers, artillery and dramatic flyovers from vintage warplanes. The Saturday, June 14 event is to celebrate the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary, according to military representatives and the administration. The date also coincides with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday and Flag Day. It is unclear if the U.S. Navy and the Marine Corps will get their own parade spectacles during their 250th birthdays this fall, as there are no similar events currently announced. The parade, which will feature Army equipment, flyovers, musical performances and thousands of soldiers in uniforms from the past and the present, caps off a week of programming designed to showcase the country's military power. Trump posted a short video address about the parade to Truth Social earlier this month, inviting Americans to what he called an "unforgettable" celebration, "one like you've never seen before." June 14 parade guide: What time is Trump's DC military parade? See full festival schedule How much will the DC military parade cost? All that pageantry comes with a price tag. Officials initially estimated the Army Birthday Festival and parade would range in cost from $25 million to $45 million, but the Army's latest estimate totaled $40 million, as USA TODAY's Tom Vanden Brook previously reported, citing a Defense official who was not authorized to speak publicly. The Army Corps of Engineers told USA TODAY it is "not expecting damage" to the roads of the nation's capital due to the parade, which will see dozens of huge military vehicles, including more than two dozen tanks, fighting vehicles and Strykers and two types of armored ground combat vehicles, roll through D.C. streets. Yet if damage is incurred, an army official managing the event said the Army will be responsible. 'No Kings Day': Protests planned for June 14 with aim to reclaim the American flag When is the DC military parade? The day kicks off at about 8:15 a.m. ET with a wreath-laying ceremony headed by Sec. of Defense Pete Hegseth at Arlington National Cemetery. It will be livestreamed here, and followed by a succession of all-day events including an evening parade and wrapping up with a fireworks display. The parade, along with several other events and concerts, will also be livestreamed. Organizers say the procession begins at 6:30 p.m. ET. DC military parade: See full festival schedule Contributing: Tom Vanden Brook and Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY. Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her atkapalmer@ and on X @KathrynPlmr.
USA Today
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
Soldiers excited (and nerve wracked) to drive tanks in DC military parade
Soldiers excited (and nerve wracked) to drive tanks in DC military parade Bradley and Stryker armored vehicles await the parade on June 14 in a park by the Potomac River. Show Caption Hide Caption Armored tanks arrive in DC for Trump's military birthday parade As Washington, D.C. prepares for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, armored tanks have begun to arrive ahead of Saturday's celebration. WASHINGTON – On blistering summer days, the sprawling, tree-shaded park on the banks of the Potomac River is usually populated by tourists and June 11, the park was fenced off to civilians, and soldiers in fatigues roamed the area. Dozens of tanks and armored vehicles lined its streets in preparation to roll through the capital this weekend in the Army's 250th anniversary parade. Lt. Kaessey Thompson looked on in anticipation at the tanks. "I'm super excited," said Thompson, who volunteered to ride one of the tanks in the June 14 parade. "It's going to be a great experience." "It's definitely a once-in-a-lifetime event," said Sgt. Timothy Reid, who was standing beside a nearby Bradley armored vehicle. Amid the sweltering summer heat, the soldiers kept busy. Several in helmets climbed on the top of a tank, one wielding a wrench to make adjustments. Another opened the top hatch of a Stryker and deftly climbed inside. Specialist Jonas Chu, a Stryker driver, said the experience means facing "new places, a lot of new crowds, and some pressure, because you're here with the Army." "It's really fun, and honestly nerve-wracking, but I'm excited to be here," he added. Chu said the Strykers are already mission capable – getting them ready for the parade is just a matter of a little shining and polishing. Reid has operated Bradley fighting vehicles for nearly a decade, but never on the streets of a U.S. city. "I've done different trips throughout Germany... but nothing on the level of what's going to be happening in D.C.," he said. The tanks and armored vehicles arrived in Jessup, Maryland, on June 9 after a cross-country journey by train from Fort Cavazos in Texas. They were then strapped onto trucks and hauled to the park less than a mile from the Lincoln Memorial, where they will remain in place until the day of the parade. City officials have voiced concern about the toll the tanks' tracks could take on Washington's roads. In preparation, the Army Corps of Engineers has anchored steel plates along the parade route at spots where the tanks will make a turn. Most of those points are on the traffic circle surrounding the Lincoln Memorial, according to an Army map shared with reporters. Although the Army has said it would pay for any damage to the roads, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said in late May she was still "concerned." Soldiers said they were aware of the controversy surrounding the parade and concerns that it doubled as a birthday celebration for the president but said their work in Washington was focused on their duty as members of the military. "It's a coincidence that it happens on the same day," said Reid, the Bradley operator. Chu, a Stryker driver, said his "main mission" is celebrating the Army's birthday. "Any other ones, that's just an added bonus."
USA Today
07-06-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Stage is set and tanks are arriving to celebrate Army's 250th anniversary on Trump's birthday
Stage is set and tanks are arriving to celebrate Army's 250th anniversary on Trump's birthday The tanks and other military vehicles traveled 1,300 miles from Texas by train for the festivities. Show Caption Hide Caption White House plans parade for Trump's bday, Army's 250th anniversary The White House is planning a massive military parade to celebrate the Army's 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump's 79th birthday. A nearly mile-long train carried M1 Abrams tanks, M2 Bradley vehicles, M109 Paladins and Strykers about 1,300 miles from Texas to the capital for the parade. The parade will include about 6,600 soldiers, 150 vehicles and 50 aircraft, according to the Army. WASHINGTON – The stage is being set – literally – for the military parade June 14 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army that coincides with President Donald Trump's birthday. Construction workers are erecting a stage along Constitution Avenue near the White House. Steel plates have been embedded in the asphalt to protect roads from 140,000-pound tanks. And the tanks themselves – and other military vehicles – have begun arriving by train. "The Army's 250th birthday is a once-in-a-lifetime event," Col. Kamil Sztalkoper, a spokesperson for the III Armored Corps, said as one of the trains left Fort Cavazos in Texas bound for Washington, D.C. "This is a chance to see our soldiers, our leaders and the world-class force on full display in our nation's capital. We look forward to being a part of history." The day-long festival along the National Mall will feature a parade and fireworks display. The parade will include about 6,600 soldiers, 150 vehicles and 50 aircraft, according to the Army. Trump told NBC News the cost – budgeted at $30 million and potentially rising to $45 million – is 'peanuts' compared to celebrating 'the greatest military in the world.' Democratic lawmakers have argued Trump is wielding the military for his own political purposes. Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, said the event is 'all about his ego and making everything about him.' The first tanks bound for the capital began moving May 21. A nearly mile-long train carried M1 Abrams tanks, M2 Bradley vehicles, M109 Paladins and Strykers about 1,300 miles from Texas to the capital for the parade. Soldiers and their equipment will be housed in a Department of Agriculture building and a warehouse owned by the General Service Administration. Chow will consist of two MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) and one hot meal per day.
