Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, left, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer, and Maj. Gen. Trevor Bredenkamp, commanding general of the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region, lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Arlington, Va., during a ceremony marking the Army’s 250th birthday. ( Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

ARLINGTON, Va. — As Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, flanked by other service leaders, placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, veteran Kevin Allen Ake raised an arm to his forehead in salute.

The Army full-honor wreath ceremony that featured “Pershing’s Own” Army band playing the national anthem formally kicked off a daylong tribute Saturday to the Army’s 250th anniversary in the nation’s capital that was expected to draw 200,000 visitors.

But the solemn wreath laying, which was open to the public and livestreamed online, served as the prelude to Army celebrations across the Potomac River in the heart of Washington to commemorate the milestone anniversary of the nation’s oldest and largest branch of the armed forces.

“I am a proud member of American Legion 216 and decided to come to this wonderful ceremony with my wife, Rose,” said Ake, who wore his Army dress greens and his American Legion cap as he waited among a throng of people for Arlington National Cemetery to open at 8 a.m. “We live in a great country, and I value my freedom. This is my way of showing it.”

Army veteran Kevin Allen Ake of Elk Grove, Ill., center, attends a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Arlington, Va., during an Army ceremony marking the Army’s 250th birthday. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Saturday also marked President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. Trump was expected to view an Army parade at sunset with 6,700 troops marching along Constitution Avenue followed by a fireworks display.

Ake, who is from Elk Grove Village, Ill., said he and his wife booked a hotel in downtown Washington and planned to attend the Army parade as well as events at the National Mall, including a meet-and-greet with troops, live music and a display of military equipment.

“Hey, it’s the president’s birthday. This is a special vacation for us. We’re here to check out the whole nine yards,” said Ake, who served from 1979 to 1981 as a military police officer, followed by another 10 years of service in the Army Reserve.

“Military service was important to my husband,” Rose Ake said.

The ceremony at Arlington and special events that followed drew an enthusiastic turnout.

At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Driscoll was accompanied by Gen. Randy George, Army chief of staff, and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer, among other dignitaries.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, left, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer, and Maj. Gen. Trevor Bredenkamp, commanding general of the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region, lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, left, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer, and Maj. Gen. Trevor Bredenkamp, commanding general of the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region, lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Arlington, Va., during an Army ceremony marking the service’s 250th birthday. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

The 3rd Infantry Regiment known as The Old Guard also participated in the tightly choreographed ceremony that concluded with a bugler’s sounding of taps.

“We’ve been patriots for a long time. We love the president,” said Janene Burton of Utah, who attended the ceremony with her companion, Deborah Nelson of California.

Wearing red-white-and-blue sashes across their dresses, the women said they were visiting Arlington cemetery as part of a whirlwind trip to Washington.

Burton is Miss Senior USA and Nelson is Miss Universe, senior division. Both women said they have sons who served in the military.

Janene Burton of Utah, Miss Senior USA, left, and Deborah Nelson of California, Miss Universe — senior division, attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

“We’re here to promote patriotism and participate,” Nelson said.

Fabian Martinez, a first lieutenant in the Colorado National Guard, also watched the ceremony. He said his visit to Arlington was a spontaneous trip.

“I wanted to come for the Army’s birthday celebration, and everything came together at the last minute for it to happen,” said Martinez, who joined the New Mexico National Guard in 2016 after high school.

The Army Band “Pershing’s Own” performs as a wreath is laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

He said he was later commissioned as an officer.

“Paying respect to the service and sacrifice of those who came before me is something special, and I’m glad I’ve had this opportunity,” said Martinez, who works in space operations and missile defense.

For Ake, 64, the wreath ceremony was his first trip to Arlington but something he said he had considered for a long time.

“It’s very humbling to be here,” he said.