Military Procession Features Canine Star Doc Holliday
Transporting Furry Tactics: Man's Best Friend in the U.S. Army's Monumental Parade
On June 14, the pavements of Washington D.C. will echo with the pounding of boots and the rumble of tanks as the U.S. Army celebrates its 250th birthday. The celebratory atmosphere will be enhanced by aerial displays of World War II aircraft and Vietnam War-era helicopters.
The four-legged squad members, not usually part of the show, include 34 horses, a pair of mules, a lone wagon, a dog, and a Blue Heeler dubbed "Doc Holliday." Army Col. Kamil Sztalkoper, representative of the III Armored Corps, revealed the news. Doc Holliday, reminiscent of the legendary gunslinger character played by Val Kilmer in "Tombstone," joined the Army's 1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry Detachment in Texas years ago.
"Four-legged parades? Nothing out of the ordinary for him," stated Col. Sztalkoper, noting that Doc has already graced the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California twice. According to the colonel, Doc is the quintessential playful felline, yet knows his place and maintains a disciplined vigil during parades. Doc and his comrades are all set to embark on a journey to Washington D.C. on June 10th.
The U.S. Army, along with President Donald Trump, is pulling out all the stops to make the milestone birthday celebration a week-long extravaganza. Over 6,700 soldiers are anticipated to participate, with planning underway for close to two years. The idea of transforming the event into a parade started gaining traction following Trump's inauguration.
The exact cost of this colossal event is still unknown. Although Army calculations suggest a potential spend of up to $45 million to mobilize troops and equipment, it is believed that the celebration will necessitate substantial security commensurate with a large-scale event like the Super Bowl or presidential inauguration.
Despite no confirmed plans for any band to sing "happy birthday" to Trump, the Golden Knights will descend onto the White House Ellipse and bestow the president with a folded American flag. Post-parade, Trump will administer the oath of enlistment to 250 new Army recruits.
"It's pricey, but the 250 years of service and sacrifice given by American soldiers overshadows the cost," said Army spokesman Steve Warren. In his words, the event serves to fortify the bond between America and its Army, making the investment seem relatively trivial compared to the value it offers.
While the U.S. military hosted a victory parade in Washington D.C. under President George H.W. Bush in 1991, this event is set to be the most substantial. The parade has been meticulously designed to reflect the timeline of the Army, with participants showcasing troops outfitted in Revolutionary War attire to modern military equipment. Historical war vehicles like the M4 Sherman tank and relic aircraft such as the B-25 Mitchell bomber and Douglas C-47 Skytrain will make an appearance, along with more contemporary helicopters like the AH-64 Apache and CH-47 Chinook.
The tanks destined for Washington D.C. have been loaded onto rail cars from Fort Cavazos and are currently making their way cross-country. They will eventually be delivered to Jessup, Maryland, andthen trucked to a staging area near the Lincoln Memorial.
In contrast to the monumental parade happening in Washington D.C., politics might take a backseat as citizens eagerly await the spectacle. Amid the roar of tanks and the gallop of horses, a video of Doc Holliday, the Army's Blue Heeler, previously showcasing his agility in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, could be a refreshing addition to the sport-like events.
