A grand parade is set for Saturday, June 14, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., commemorating the United States Army’s 250th birthday.
Coincidentally, June 14 also marks the 79th birthday of President Donald Trump.
This will be the first full-scale military parade in the nation’s capital in over 30 years, with the last such display occurring 34 years ago during the National Victory Celebration, which welcomed home veterans from the Persian Gulf War.
The Gulf War began in January 1991 with a surprise aerial bombardment on Baghdad, targeting Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, who was safely away.
Then-President George H.W. Bush condemned Iraq’s aggression against Kuwait and mobilized a significant international coalition, receiving United Nations backing for the largest military alliance since World War II.
In less than six months following Iraq’s invasion, coalition forces had achieved air superiority.
On that clear January night in 1991, the combat phase commenced, quickly leading to a swift victory for the alliance.
After 100 days, allied troops had expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait and even advanced into Iraq towards Baghdad.
Despite suggestions from his national security team to continue into Iraq and remove Hussein, President Bush resisted, feeling that the coalition had met its objectives with minimal casualties—fewer than 400 Americans lost—during Operation Desert Storm.
The war, which played out in real-time on CNN, the earliest 24-hour news network, influenced public perception significantly, making it the first televised war.
Consequently, the administration wished to extend the celebratory atmosphere through a parade from the U.S. Capitol to the White House and over to Arlington National Cemetery.
The June 8, 1991, parade featured the impressive M1 Abrams tanks that had been instrumental in the coalition’s victory.
More than 8,000 uniformed personnel participated in the event, which was reminiscent of the celebratory parades that followed World War II.
President Bush, a World War II veteran himself, expressed gratitude at a morning ceremony in Arlington National Cemetery.
During the parade, he greeted marching troops led by General Norman Schwarzkopf, commander of the operation, in a powerful and respectful exchange.
There was a small amount of controversy surrounding the $12 million parade cost, which some criticized as excessive.
Although $5 million was funded by Persian Gulf states and American defense contractors like Coca-Cola, dissenting voices argued it was too militaristic for a celebration.
A few anti-war protesters attempted to disrupt the event; one climbed onto a tank, and another group splashed red paint on a Harrier jet, which was quickly removed by Marines.
Attendees noted the stark contrast between the reception of veterans returning from the Gulf War versus those from previous conflicts like Vietnam and Korea.
Thomas Moorehouse, a Marine Corps veteran, expressed to NPR that he felt detached from the parade despite his service, seeking only respect for veterans, particularly those from Vietnam.
In contrast, returning veterans from the Persian Gulf were met with joyous celebrations throughout the country, affirming their efforts were supported and appreciated by the American public.
Polls indicated that a majority of Americans viewed the war favorably and justified Bush’s actions.
However, Bush experienced a rapid political decline following the victory celebration as economic challenges emerged, leading to a push against his renomination in the GOP as independent candidate H. Ross Perot gained traction in polls leading up to the 1992 election.
The stark realities of politics often overshadow celebratory moments, and while the parade sought to honor military achievements, the unfolding economic situation would soon take center stage in the nation’s consciousness.
image source from：https://www.npr.org/2025/06/12/nx-s1-5422468/military-victory-parade-1991
