Washington – A convoy of military vehicles, including tanks, armored personnel carriers, and self-propelled artillery, arrived on the National Mall late Monday as preparations intensified for a weekend parade marking the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary.
Flatbed trucks carrying the heavy equipment were seen throughout the capital as the vehicles made their way from the CSX rail yard in Jessup, Md., to central Washington. The parade, scheduled for this Saturday, is expected to feature dozens of military vehicles and aircraft, as well as more than 7,000 active-duty soldiers.
President Donald Trump is slated to attend the event, which is drawing both celebration and controversy. Supporters describe the parade as a patriotic tribute to American service members. But critics have denounced it as a politicized show of force, with some alleging that Trump is using the military to project power and intimidate opponents.
Several activist groups have announced plans to protest along the parade route, raising concerns about potential clashes between demonstrators and supporters.
