Bidisha Roy

WASHINGTON (TIP): Each year Washington, DC celebrates the Fourth of July with a bang. The 2019 extravaganza became very special, as President Donald Trump wanted to add a military flavor to this year’s Independence Day celebrations with Troops, tanks and a fly past. The President has re-branded the day as a “Salute to America” and the nation watched the biggest July 4 display of military pageantry since 1850.

In America’s earliest decades, the Fourth of July saw plenty of military pageantry in Washington. The Smithsonian’s research found Presidents Jefferson, Madison, Van Buren and Polk presided over military parades on Independence Day. But the tradition died under Zachary Taylor in 1850.

Trump has voiced his desire to show off with the American military ever since he attended a Bastille Day celebration with troops and tanks as a guest of French President Emmanuel Macron in 2017. And it happened.

Under White House direction, the army moved tanks and other armoured vehicles into the nation’s capital on Wednesday night. The Pentagon arranged for an Air Force B-2 stealth bomber and other warplanes to conduct flyovers of the celebration on the National Mall. There were Navy F-35 and F-18 fighter jets, the Navy-Blue Angels aerial acrobatics team, Army and Coast Guard helicopters and Marine V-22 Ospreys.

“Military Leaders are thrilled to be doing this & showing to the American people, among other things, the strongest and most advanced Military anywhere in the World,” Trump tweeted. “Incredible Flyovers & biggest ever Fireworks!”

Two Bradley fighting vehicles were in place near the Lincoln Memorial, where Trump delivered a patriotic speech during an event that he has billed as honouring the U.S. armed forces. Thousands of people gathered albeit under low cloud cover following heavy rains earlier Thursday. Air Force One flew over the Mall as Trump approached the podium protected by rain-streaked bulletproof glass. It was the first time in decades that a President has addressed a crowd.

“Today, we come together as one nation with this very special salute to America. We celebrate our history, our people, and the heroes who proudly defend our flag — the brave men and women of the United States military,” Trump said. “As long as we stay true to our cause; as long as we remember our great history; and as long as we never stop fighting for a better future; then there will be nothing that America cannot do.”

The President highlighted the accomplishments of each branch of the military and added that “very soon” the U.S. will have a sixth branch – the “Space Force.”

Aircraft representing each branch, such as a B-2 stealth bomber for the Air Force and F-35 Lightnings for the Navy, flew over the National Mall in time with Trump’s speech.

Attendees also enjoyed live music from the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, the U.S. Army Band (“Pershing’s Own”), the Armed Forces Chorus and the United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Team.

Along with viewing the dynamic fireworks show on the National Mall and attending the free Capitol Fourth concert, visitors celebrated America’s birthday in dozens of other venues in the capital.