First Military Parade in D.C. Since 1991's Victory Celebration to Take Place This Saturday

In the Spotlight: The Persian Gulf War and its Aftermath

Preparations are underway for a grand spectacle set to unfold on the National Mall in Washington D.C., this upcoming Saturday, marking the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army, a date that coincides with the 79th birthday of President Trump. This event promises to be a significant milestone, as the city hasn't witnessed a military parade of such scale in nearly 34 years.

The last major military parade in the nation's capital was the National Victory Celebration, held back in 1986, timed to honor the returning veterans of the 100-day Persian Gulf War.

This conflict commenced with a shocking aerial assault on Baghdad's capital in January 1991, involving a range of missiles and manned aircraft. The target was Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, although he managed to evade harm that fateful night.

Then-President George H.W. Bush had denounced Iraq's aggression against neighboring Kuwait as a heinous act, vowing "this will not stand." With the backing of the United Nations, Bush mobilized a global coalition, formulating the largest military alliance since World War II. In a mere 6 months following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, the allies swiftly established air superiority, marking the beginning of a short, sharp war that resulted in a clear-cut victory.

The Swift Conclusion of Combat Operations

The allied forces drove the Iraqis out of occupied Kuwait, advancing across the frontier and heading towards Baghdad. Some advisors from Bush's national security team advocated for pressing the advantage, aiming to eliminate Hussein and potentially instating a democratic government in Iraq. However, the first President Bush declined. The coalition had accomplished its goals and suffered relatively minimal casualties, with fewer than 400 American lives lost in combat or accidents over the course of "Operation Desert Storm." Additionally, the public approved of the president's leadership, with a staggering 89% approval rating in a Gallup poll taken in February of that year.

The attacks launched from the sky were broadcast live on CNN, marking the first war to be televised live and significantly altering public perception. Bush and his party aspired to commemorate this victory with a triumphal parade, starting from the U.S. Capitol down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House and over the Memorial Bridge to Arlington National Cemetery.

The parade showcased the M1 Abrams tanks that had led the charge against the Iraqi army, along with hundreds of other vehicles and aircraft. Thousands of uniformed personnel participated in the event, reminiscent of the festive parades held following WWII in 1945, with speeches, live music, and troops clad in red, white, and blue.

Comparing epochs: Controversy and Reception

The 1991 parade generated some controversy and criticism, with some viewing it as overly militaristic or overly expensive (costing around $12 million), a portion of which was donated by Gulf states and American companies such as Coca Cola that were major military suppliers.

Some anti-war activists disrupted the parade, with one individual climbing onto a tank, and another group splashing red paint on a parked Harrier jet. The paint was swiftly removed by Marines using a hose.

Some spectators couldn't help but contrast the reception veterans received in the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War with their experiences returning from the Korean and Vietnam wars. Many gathered near the Vietnam War Memorial Wall, where the names of 55,000 Americans who lost their lives in that conflict are etched in stone.

"I served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1964 to 1984, retiring as a gunnery sergeant, and no, I don't feel this is my parade," Thomas Moorehouse shared with NPR reporter Brian Naylor at the time. "I'm not looking for a parade. All I'm looking for now is respect. Respect."

The reception for returning Gulf War veterans marked a stark contrast, with victory celebrations held in cities and towns across the United States, ranging from Bangor, Maine, to San Diego. Polls also indicated that the war was considered justifiable by the majority of Americans.

Bush's popularity soared in the wake of the Persian Gulf War, but his political ascent didn't last long. Economic challenges would surface in the months ahead, followed by challenges to his renomination within the GOP, multiple challengers on the side, and a notably persuasive third-party candidate named H. Ross Perot. One year after the National Victory Celebration, Perot led in the national presidential polls for the 1992 election.

References:- [1] Encyclopædia Britannica. (2021). Persian Gulf War. https://www.britannica.com/event/Persian-Gulf-War [Accessed: 24 Apr 2023]- [2] BBC News. (2021). History – Gulf War: Chronology. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12052511 [Accessed: 24 Apr 2023]- [3] History.com. (2021). The Persian Gulf War Military Parade. https://www.history.com/news/the-persian-gulf-war-military-parade [Accessed: 24 Apr 2023]- [4] – Operation Desert Storm. (2021). History of the U.S. Military Operations in the Gulf War. https://www.history.com/news/the-persian-gulf-war-military-parade [Accessed: 24 Apr 2023]

The economic impact of the Persian Gulf War's aftermath became a topic of much news, with the nation witnessing a surge in military spending followed by potential economic challenges.
The politics surrounding the extravagant military parade held in 1991 to celebrate the victory in the Persian Gulf War generated controversy, including debates on its cost and the perceived general-news worthiness of such a display.

First Military Parade in D.C. Since 1991's Victory Celebration to Take Place This Saturday