Army
GallerySoldiers rehearse, prepare armored vehicles for Army’s 250th birthday parade
Stars and Stripes
June 11, 2025
A U.S. Army soldier assigned to 1st Cavalry Division, ground guides an M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle off a rail car during rail operations at CSX Jessup, Md., June 9, 2025, in preparation for the 250th Army Birthday Parade on June 14, 2025. (Elisabeth Tasker/U.S. Army)
Soldiers, vehicles and equipment are arriving to the nation’s capital this week to prepare for the Army’s 250th Birthday Parade in Washington on Saturday.
Most troops arrived on Wednesday for rehearsals and preparations, and will depart on Sunday. About 6,700 troops from every Army division, 150 vehicles and more than 50 aircraft will be a part of the celebration.
Bradley Fighting Vehicles, Strykers, M109 Paladins and a series of historic vehicles, including Sherman tanks and a B-25 bomber from Fort Cavazos, Texas, are being unloaded and staged along the parade route throughout the week.
The parade is expected to take place along Constitution Avenue June 14, 2025. It will be along the north side of the National Mall in Washington, from 23rd Street NW to 15th Street NW. (TNS)
On the Army’s birthday, there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in the morning, followed by a fitness competition. The Army will then present an interactive display on the National Mall, transitioning to a parade showcasing the history of the Army, flyovers and a Golden Knights parachute demonstration at the White House ellipse.
President Donald Trump, who will be celebrating his 79th birthday, will also be presented with an American flag during the parachute demonstration and preside over an enlistment ceremony for 250 service members.
The festival will also include equipment displays and demonstrations of military skills. The day will end with a Noah Hicks and Scotty Hasting concert and fireworks display.
The U.S. Army Drill Team, 4th Battalion, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, rehearses drill movements in preparation for the Army 250th Birthday Parade at Fort McNair in Washington, June 10, 2025. (Jude Vogel/U.S. Army)
U.S. Army soldiers assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division unchain a track vehicle during rail operations at CSX Jessup, Md., June 9, 2025, in preparation of the 250th Army Birthday Parade. (Elisabeth Tasker/U.S. Army)
The U.S. Army Drill Team, 4th Battalion, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, rehearses drill movements in preparation for the Army 250th Birthday Parade at Fort McNair in Washington, June 10, 2025. (Jude Vogel/U.S. Army)
A U.S. Army M88A2 Hercules recovery vehicle moves toward the staging area in preparation for the 250th Army Birthday Parade at West Potomac Park in Washington, June 9, 2025. (Rebeca Soria/U.S. Army)
The U.S. Army Drill Team, 4th Battalion, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, rehearses drill movements in preparation for the Army 250th Birthday Parade at Fort McNair, Washington, June 10, 2025. (Jude Vogel/U.S. Army)
Spc. Jordan Hope, a soldier assigned to 3rd Cavalry Regiment, guides a Stryker armored vehicle off of a rail car during at Benning Rail Yard in Washington, June 8, 2025. (Rakeem Carter/U.S. Army)
Capt. Ryan Hanks, commander of the U.S. Army Drill Team, 4th Battalion, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment inspects a rifle during a rehearsal for the Army 250th Birthday Parade at Fort McNair in Washington, June 10, 2025. (Jude Vogel/U.S. Army)