The Big, Bad Birthday Parade

 

by Pa Rock

Citizen Journalist

Donald John Trump, a man who actively "avoided" the military draft on five separate occasions in the 1960's during the Vietnam War era, but who has now remade himself into a super patriot, is absolutely mad with the notion of presiding over a massive military parade, a show of his own strength and that of his military, one that will impress all the other so-called world leaders, and remind citizens of the United States that he is the boss.  

Trump became consumed with the idea while on a visit to Paris in the summer of 2017 where he was on hand to view the annual French "Bastille Day" parade.  He returned to America and tried to promote the idea, but was never able to get it going due to resistance from members of Congress, the city of Washington, DC (which didn't want tanks rolling over its streets and destroying the pavement), and members of the military itself.  The Pentagon estimated that such a parade would cost in the neighborhood of $92 million, a not so "efficient" use of taxpayer dollars.

But things are running differently during Trump's second term.  If he wants to do something, he does it.  End of discussion.

The Washington City Paper announced last month that military officials and the Trump administration were planning a big military parade in June to honor the 250th anniversary of the US Army.  The report indicated that the parade could stretch four-and-a-half miles from the Pentagon to the White House.

This week the Associated Press (AP) obtained and published some preliminary plans for the parade which is planned for June 14th, Trump's 79th birthday.  The event is being referred to in some press accounts as "Trump's Birthday Parade," and the Army Times ran this headline yesterday:  "Army plans for Trump birthday parade include 6600 troops."  

In addition to those 6,600 active duty soldiers, the extravaganza will also include at least 150 vehicles, 50 helicopters, seven bands, and possibly a few thousand civilians.  The material accessed by the Associated Press did not include cost estimates, but moving all of the equipment and military personnel from various parts of the country to Washington, DC, would certainly be expensive, as would feeding and housing the troops participating in the event.

And then, of course, there will be the costs incurred by the city of Washington, DC - street repair (if needed), traffic management, crowd control, and cleaning-up after the revelers go home.

There will also be the costs of erecting a grandstand so that Trump could be seen, as well as to provide seating for the oligarchs and their girlfriends.  

It will not be a cheap affair.  Donald John Trump no longer does cheap affairs now that he is able to access the US Treasury.

I will admit to being a little envious.  While I am not as old as Donald Trump,  I am more truthful and better looking (even without make-up), I did serve on active duty in the US Army for four long years during the same time period in which he should have served, I have never been charged with or convicted of a felony - let alone forty-three, and I pay my taxes and am not afraid to reveal my tax returns.  

My birthday was last month - where the hell was my parade?

Trump's will be June 14th.  Mark those calendars.  Remember, it's always about him!