On Saturday, June 14, hundreds of thousands of people are expected to gather on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to participate in a grand parade commemorating the 250th birthday of the United States Army. This significant event coincides with the 79th birthday of President Trump, making it a day of dual celebration. Washington, D.C., has not hosted a full-scale military parade like this in a generation, with the last being held 34 years ago, known as the National Victory Celebration.
The previous military parade took place on June 8, 1991, to honor returning veterans of the 100-day Persian Gulf War. This conflict began with a surprise aerial assault on the Iraqi capital of Baghdad in January 1991, marking a significant moment in military history. The operation aimed to counter the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, which had been deemed a crime by then-President George H.W. Bush.
Under Bush’s leadership, the United States swiftly assembled a global coalition with the backing of the United Nations, forming the largest military alliance since World War II. Within six months, the coalition forces established air superiority and executed a strategic military operation that led to the liberation of Kuwait and a decisive victory.
After just 100 days of intense combat, the allied forces successfully drove Iraqi troops out of Kuwait and crossed into Iraqi territory, moving towards Baghdad. Some members of Bush's national security team advocated for a continued offensive to eliminate Saddam Hussein and potentially establish a democratic regime in Iraq. However, President Bush decided against this approach, believing that the coalition had already achieved its primary objectives with minimal casualties—fewer than 400 American lives lost during Operation Desert Storm.
The Persian Gulf War was notable for being the first conflict to be televised live, significantly altering public perception of military engagements. As the operations unfolded halfway around the globe, Americans watched in real-time on CNN, which was among the first 24-hour news channels. This unprecedented coverage heightened the desire for a celebratory parade, reminiscent of the victory celebrations following World War II.
On June 8, 1991, thousands lined the streets from the U.S. Capitol down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House, culminating at the Arlington National Cemetery. The parade featured impressive M1 Abrams tanks and around 8,000 uniformed personnel, evoking memories of the patriotic displays from the 1945 victory parades. President Bush, a World War II veteran himself, delivered a moving speech about sacrifice at Arlington before greeting the marchers, including General Norman Schwarzkopf, the commander of Operation Desert Storm.
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the 1991 parade was not without controversy. Critics labeled it as overly militaristic and excessively costly, with a budget of $12 million—$5 million funded by Persian Gulf states and American military suppliers like Coca-Cola. Some anti-war protesters attempted to disrupt the event; one woman climbed a tank while another group splashed red paint on a parked Harrier jet, which was quickly cleaned by Marines.
Attendees noted the stark contrast between the warm welcome for Persian Gulf veterans and the reception of those returning from the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Vietnam veterans, such as Thomas Moorehouse, expressed a desire for respect rather than a parade, highlighting the differing societal attitudes toward veterans of different conflicts.
The victory celebrations in 1991 marked a significant shift in public sentiment towards veterans, with the Persian Gulf War being widely regarded as justified by the American populace. However, President Bush's political triumph was short-lived. Economic challenges arose in the months following the parade, leading to a competitive environment for his renomination in the GOP, with independent candidate H. Ross Perot gaining momentum in the national polls.
As the National Mall prepares for the upcoming parade celebrating the U.S. Army's storied history, the reflections on past military parades serve as a reminder of the complex relationship between the American public and its veterans.
