National military parades in the United States are a thing of the past. It is highly unlikely to occur in the present day.
Why doesn’t the US have military parades? One answer to that is because of safety reasons. When soldiers march around Washington D.C. streets, they can send a wrong message to other countries.
For this reason, it is better not to celebrate war and not waste money on displaying military equipment in the streets. To know more reasons why there is no military parade in the United States, scroll down!
Table of Contents
Why the Us Does Not Have Military Parades
1. The high cost hold a military parade
A celebration of any sort costs a lot of money, and it is usually just a one-time event; a Military parade is no exception. In 2018, Former President Donald Trump proposed to hold a military parade that cost 12 million dollars, which will be taken from the U.S. taxpayers.
According to a sub-Reddit, former president Donald Trump’s proposal was rejected and the Pentagon did not allow it to happen. The Pentagon was concerned about the initial cost of $12 million, it can reach up to $92 million.
The costs of military parades are expensive because of the following:
- Displaying and transporting the latest military equipment, such as tanks, aircraft, missiles, vehicles, and more
- Troops, soldiers, and other military personnel that will be joining the parade
- Added security for the military troops and people who will watch military march
- Overall planning of the parade
2. There’s not enough reason to hold one
In the past, military parades served as celebrations of victory for the wars waged by great men. Additionally, it is a welcoming and farewell ceremony for families and United States people honoring their heroes.
There are no longer any conflicts that need to be fought, which has led to widespread rejoicing.
3. There’s no significance to holding military parades.
The United States is a democratic country. That is why there is no support for military parades in USA that show-off its new military equipment or how many troops are there to defend the country.
In most countries that are still under monarchy or dictatorship, they put a lot of budgeting and planning into their parades.
The Us Military Parade History
1865: Grand Review of the Armies
This parade is also called the final march. Around 145,000 victorious men marched proudly in the city’s capital as they successfully fought in the Civil War.
1919: WWI Victory Parades.
During this year, there are several parades celebrating the end of World War I. The most famous WWI victory parade was led by General John J. Pershing.
Pershing, together with fully-equipped 25,000 US soldiers, rallied around Fifth Avenue, New York City as the crowd cheered and congratulated them.
1942: Army Day Parade
On June 13, 1942, the largest parade in New York City happened in the history of military parades in the US. The Army Day Parade lasted for 11 hours attended by men and women walking around the city.
It is known as the first public military parade for the soldiers who fought in other countries in World War II.
1946: WWII Victory Parades
This United States army parade was held to celebrate the end of World War II. New York City was packed with millions of eager civilians that wanted to congratulate more than 10,000 soldiers.
One of the most unforgettable moments in the 1946 NYC parade is the parade of notable paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division.
1953: Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Inauguration.
This one of the most awaited parades happened on Pennsylvania Avenue to inaugurate President Dwight Eisenhower.
The streets were filled with crowds cheering for over 22,000 soldiers parading together with floats and live bands.
1961: John F. Kennedy’s Inauguration
JFK’s inauguration on Pennsylvania Avenue was filled with special military equipment and a military procession boasting the US missiles and missile interceptors.
Also, there are navy boats carrying a number of soldiers, and sailors.
1991: Celebration of the End of The Gulf War
Known as the last military parade in the United States, the celebration of the victory of the Gulf War was attended by more than 800,000 crowds.
There are over 8,000 soldiers marching in Washington D.C. on June 8 and another in New York City on June 9.
President George Bush was the one who facilitated the 1991 U.S. military parade and he became the last president to ever hold a national military parade.
The Military Parades and Events That Are Still Held in the U.S.
There are still ways for Americans to celebrate the mighty troops fighting for the country besides national military parades. In each state, there are small parades and celebrations for the military.
Most of the time, U.S. States honor significant dates such as the 4th of July, Women’s Veterans Day, Annual Fleet Weeks, Armed Forces Day, and more. Moreover, citizens of America still value the importance of parade in a much cheaper way than national parades.
Inauguration Parades in the United States
- January 20, 2009: President Barack Obama’s second inauguration day in Washington D.C.’s National Mall. There were a lot of people who watched the inauguration despite the cold weather.
There were more than 2,ooo military personnel, 8,800 citizens, and entertainers who came and witnessed the inauguration parade.
- January 21, 2017: President Donald Trump’s inaguration day in Washington, D.C. Over 300,000 to 600,000 citizens came to witness the parade for Trump’s inauguration.
- January 21, 2021: President Joe Biden’s inauguration day in Washington, D.C.
Biden’s inauguration day was one of the most attended inauguration days in U.S. history.
The parade was attended by over 20,000 National Guard troops, pomp, marching band, Hollywood stars and artists. There are also ceremonies of tribute to the U.S. troops and those who lost their lives in the Coronavirus in 2020 and up to the present.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do countries hold military parades?
Most of the reasons for these military parades from other countries are to celebrate a victory, commemorate an important day, combine military exercises, or brag about their new military equipment.
Countries that conduct a parade are Russia, Iran, China, France, North Korea, the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia.
What was the biggest military parade ever?
The biggest military parade in the world happened in Moscow, Russia, in 1945, and it is called the Moscow Victory Parade of 1945. It is a victory parade of the Soviet Union in their war against the German Nazis.
Conclusion
The U.S. Military parade is an event that is a form of celebration in the past. However, for the current situation of the United States and the world, it is clear why doesn’t the US have military parades.
There are disadvantages to a US Military parade, just as offending other countries and not having enough funds for it.
In the end, there are more important concerns in the country that need the nation’s attention and resources than one-day events like military parades.
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