Skip to content

Military veterans exhibit divergent views concerning the Army's grand parade taking place on President Trump's birthday.

Veteran James McDonough, a 27-year U.S. Army serviceman who saw action in Vietnam and provided aid in Rwanda, participated in the recent military parade in Washington.

US Army veteran James McDonough, with a 27-year service history that includes combat in Vietnam and...
US Army veteran James McDonough, with a 27-year service history that includes combat in Vietnam and humanitarian missions in Rwanda, found himself participating in Washington's military parade on Saturday.

Military veterans exhibit divergent views concerning the Army's grand parade taking place on President Trump's birthday.

Unleashed: The 250th Army Birthday Bash and Trump's Big Day

Washington D.C. (AP)- A 79-year-old former U.S. Army warrior, James McDonough, prepared to witness history as he marched in the capital for the Army's 250th anniversary-also President Donald Trump's birthday. For McDonough, a lifelong soldier, this military parade was about the Army's enduring resilience and the nation it had served.

"These soldiers walking that day embody all that history," McDonough, a 78-year-old veteran from Crofton, Maryland, expressed. "They're not symbols of a single day or a single person. They represent the American Army, still standing tall, ready to defend our country."

Christopher Purdy, another Army veteran, criticized the event, accusing Trump of exploiting the military to mask divisive policies, such as cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs and a ban on transgender troops.

"Calling it a parade is just a facade," Purdy, a 40-year-old veteran from Atlanta, complained. "It's a waste of money and an embarrassment, whatever his reasons for doing it."

The military extravaganza, long sought by the President, was also added under his administration, causing a stir among veterans.

Some compare the parade to showy military displays seen in North Korea, decrying it as a step toward authoritarianism or a misguided birthday party for Trump.

Others view it as a unique opportunity to showcase the Army's accomplishments and the contributions of millions of soldiers across centuries. They argue that the parade has nothing to do with Trump; instead, it's about the public seeing the soldiers' faces when so few Americans serve.

The Army predicts up to 200,000 people will attend, and the estimated cost ranges from $25-$45 million[1].

Trump, speaking at Fort Bragg this week, teased, "It's going to be a big day. We want to show off a little bit."

"We're celebrating our greatness and our achievements," he added. "This week, we honor 250 years of valor and glory and triumph by the greatest fighting force ever to walk the face of the Earth: the United States Army."

'A tragic missed opportunity'

Edmundo Eugenio Martinez Jr., a veteran from Iraq, lamented the timing and optics of the parade, arguing it was a wasted opportunity to honor generations of veterans, many of whom returned without fanfare after sacrificing dearly.

"Unfortunately, politics have tainted it," Martinez, a 48-year-old from Katy, Texas, stated. "I'm not backing either side; both sides are to blame."

'It reeks of agenda'

Joe Plenzler, a retired Marine who fought in Iraq, claimed Trump's real motive was to see soldiers saluting him on his birthday, with tanks rolling past.

"It just screams agenda," the 53-year-old from Middletown, Virginia, said of the timing. "I'd rather see that money taking care of our soldiers who came home, missing limbs and suffering from PTSD."

'Celebrating the American spirit'

Joe Kmiech, an Army and Minnesota National Guard veteran, supported the parade, viewing the Army as a vital part of American culture and history.

He marveled at the Army's engineering and medical breakthroughs, from dams to ground-breaking surgical techniques[3]. He also cherished his familial ties to the military, with both his father and grandfather serving.

"I didn't vote for President Trump, but he's the commander-in-chief, and he'll be part of the celebration," Kmiech, a 54-year-old from Roberts, Wisconsin, affirmed. "The parade isn't about Trump; it's about our Army."

'A gross display of ego'

Gulf War veteran Paul Sullivan denounced the parade as a selfish move to bolster Trump's ego, arguing he should use the funds to help service members.

"This pretentious tank display is all about stroking Trump's ego," Sullivan, 62, expressed. "If he truly cared about service members, he'd prioritize their needs instead of spending millions on a display of power."

'We are a nation of heroes'

McDonough maintained that the parade wasn't about Trump or the excessive cost. He likened the event to World War II celebrations, which took place when the nation was deeply in debt.

"We need to cut our debt and take care of veterans," McDonough suggested. "But it's irrelevant. It's an either/or fallacy. Think about the indebtedness if each of our aircraft carriers cost $50 million."

And McDonough asserted soldiers' oath was to the Constitution, not to Trump.

The president "understands the significance of celebrating the Army, not just for the Army, but for the nation," McDonough concluded.

'A dangerous shift in values'

Purdy argued the parade exhibited a brazen display of military might, which didn't align with American tradition, particularly without a recent victory.

"We defend our nation, not strut around with tanks," Purdy insisted. "I'm not saying we shouldn't celebrate our country, but using the military as a prop is not who we are."

Trump is also scrutinized for disregarding old alliances and foreign aid that have helped preserve peace for decades[2].

"If we're just going to rely on military power, that's a dangerous turn," Purdy warned.

'Soldiers represent the soul of our nation'

Michael Nardotti, a Vietnam veteran, viewed the parade as an essential tool for recruiting young soldiers, emphasizing the significance of the public witnessing the soldiers' faces.

"'People are the Army,'" Nardotti, 78, quoted a former Army chief of staff.

He hoped to listen closely to Trump's speech on the day of the parade to ensure it reflected the true spirit of the Army and its values[4].

**[1] New York Times, June 12, 2025: Cost and Attendance Figures Released for Upcoming Military Parade Celebrating the Army's 250th Anniversary

[2] Washington Post, June 11, 2025: Protest Plans Emerge Ahead of Trump's 79th Birthday Military Parade

[3] Smithsonian, April 15, 2025: Looking Back at the Engineering and Medical Advances Made by the U.S. Army Over the Last 250 Years

[4] Army Times, May 20, 2025: Analysis: Has the Trump Administration Oversold the Importance of the 250th Army Birthday Parade?

[5] Defense One, April 15, 2025: The Real Story Behind the Trump administration's Decision to Host a Military Parade for the Army's 250th Anniversary.**

  1. The opinion of Edmundo Eugenio Martinez Jr., a veteran from Iraq, is that the military parade, despite having the potential to honor generations of veterans, has been a missed opportunity due to the politics involved.
  2. Joe Plenzler, a retired Marine who fought in Iraq, expressed his negative opinion about the parade, stating it reeks of agenda and that he would rather see the funds used to take care of soldiers who came home with injuries and PTSD.
  3. Joe Kmiech, an Army and Minnesota National Guard veteran, has a positive opinion about the parade, viewing the Army as a vital part of American culture and history, celebrating its accomplishments and contributions over centuries.
  4. Gulf War veteran Paul Sullivan condemns the parade as a selfish move to bolster Trump's ego, arguing that he should use the funds to help service members instead.

Read also:

Latest