There’s been talk about a military parade to take place in Washington, D.C., this June 14th, which happens to be Donald Trump’s 79th birthday and, coincidently, the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army. According to recent statements, plans for this parade are only in the preliminary stages. But the way things have been going in D.C. in recent months, it seems to me anything is possible.
As the Associated Press reported the other day, “The Trump administration is having early discussions about a grand military parade in the nation’s capital this summer, something that is a long-held dream of President Donald Trump.”
Although the White House said recently, “No military parade has been scheduled,” the Army birthday festival has been in the planning stages for some time. It is to involve, according to the AP, “an array of activities and displays on the National Mall, including Army Stryker armored vehicles, Humvees, helicopters and other equipment.” Surely one can imagine Donald Trump wanting to make this a grand parade — a big part of his own birthday celebrations.
Trump had fallen in love with such mighty military shows in Paris during his first administration. After watching the two-hour procession down the Champs-Elysees on Bastille Day in 2017, he decided he wanted an even grander one in Washington along Pennsylvania Avenue. At that time (when he had more cautious advisers, I’d say), he had to scrap the idea due to the enormous price tag ($92 million). But now? Now, in this new reign, it seems he has free rein. The sky is not even the limit for Donald Trump. And after all, June 14th is his birthday — a time for self-indulgence and big wishes.
(The sky’s not even the limit for Donald Trump. [Stock photo])
With all that’s been happening in the news lately – all of the upheaval caused by Trump’s enormous wrecking ball — this possible parade may seem like a small thing. But just the idea of it makes me clearly recall the grand military parade I witnessed in Libreville, Gabon, when I served in the Peace Corps there (1996-98).
At the time, Omar Bongo, the longtime strongman president, was said to be one of the richest men in the world, all thanks to his country’s oil, timber, and mining, plus his government’s kleptocracy. He was a small man with many wives and countless mistresses and a seemingly well equipped army to protect his little country (the size of Colorado), which was not being threatened by war.
As I stood on the sidelines with the gaping throngs, seeing the disciplined soldiers, huge tanks and all sorts of impressive military equipment pass by, I got Bongo’s unspoken message to everyone watching: “Step out of line, and I will crush you.”
In Peace Corps training we were taught never to get involved in our host country’s politics. We were to be polite, appreciative, and helpful guests only, not political activists nor missionaries for any church or cause. But one time, in one of my Friday night free English classes for a group of enthusiastic high school students in my little town of Lastoursville deep in the middle of this rainforested Francophone country, I made a big mistake.
As I wrote in my Peace Corps memoir HOW TO COOK A CROCODILE, I made the mistake of raising the verboten topic of politics, hoping it might lead to a lively conversation in English:
We were sitting in a circle in my living room, four of the core boys and myself, when I too-straightforwardly shared my unvarnished view that the Gabonese people seemed to me to be too apathetic about their situation. Why did they allow their government to do whatever it wished? Why didn’t they stand up for themselves and demand their rights?
“Apathy is complicity,” I said, tossing out these weighty English words in the hope that the boys would catch their significance and a heated discussion would ensue.
My words fell heavily, and the boys stiffened. Their eyes darted across the length of the louvered windows in my living room. Thierry shook his head slowly from side to side. Regis fixed his gaze on me and drew his right index finger gingerly across his throat. Martial froze. The boys’ body language told me instantly: You mustn’t say these things. People could be watching, listening. We cannot speak ill of President Bongo if we want to live.
Jacques, an active member of [the local] Christian Alliance church, spoke up. “Papa Bongo takes good care of us,” he said in French. “We live in peace. He is a good president. God put him in office. It is not for us to question God’s plan.” The other boys nodded.
“Ah, yes, of course, you’re right,” I said carefully and slowly in English, then repeated again in French for whoever might have been lurking outside. I didn’t want to put these boys in danger. Free speech was not an option for them, in any language.
At the time, in that moment, I was deeply grateful for the freedom of expression I’d always taken for granted in my country. But now? Today? Now it seems everything about the U.S. government is being turned upside down. Anything is possible now.
Maybe Trump will get his birthday parade after all. Maybe this display of military might will show the world, including all of his domestic detractors like me, just how mighty he is, how easily he could crush and silence us all.
To quote Trump’s often-repeated evasive response to journalists’ questions, “Well, we’ll see what happens.”
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More on the news reports of Trump’s possible military parade:
https://apnews.com/article/military-parade-dc-trump-9ca70b018fe4f663ecaaf993d1b45a59
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/07/politics/trump-plans-military-parade-washington/index.html
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/army-bigger-mark-250th-military-parade-trump/story?id=120609020
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It is indeed frightening times, with or without the parade. And for anyone who thinks it can’t happen in America, read world history or get a passport and travel — it’s happened everywhere.
Yes, Querida Kim, it CAN happen in the Land of the “Free” too, as horrifying as it is to see. Thank you for your input. — xx
Dear Bon,
I remember that scene in your book. I never thought we Americans would ever be in the same position as the young men on your sofa. But here we are.
The answer is for people to stand up and let their voices and opinions be heard, and keep doing so. The media seems eager to present this as a fait accompli, but it is not, yet. People still have power to effect change, but there must also be the will to do so. There needs to be an organized, thoughtful response, which is difficult when the “opposition party,” those who should be leading the response, remain silent. Do not forget their silence. Politicians who do not work for their constituents must be voted out. Above all, do not give in to despair; remember, that is the response most desired by those who wish to oppress.
Love,
Paul
Thank you, Paul dear, for your thoughtful response. People are beginning to show their opposition, which is great to see. And Cory Booker’s 25-hour speech was heartening! Yes, we mustn’t give up hope; we mustn’t despair.
Ha! LOVE your idea, Be! Oh, and let’s add little Pete H. to the list of “military mites.” Very fitting. 🙂
Thank you Bonnie. You were given a first-hand glimpse of what it felt like to live in fear of openly speaking one’s thoughts. Luckily you have found refuge in Mexico from this traitor to the Constitution. But instead of military might, let’s start referring to Donald himself as “the military mite,” the small acarid arachnid that often infests animals, plants, and stored foods and includes important disease vectors.” Much more fitting, eh?
I hope it doesn’t happen for a bunch of reasons including the cost to tax payers. But I do look forward to the counter protests. I’m sure they are organizing right now. We can support them and we need to while we still can.
Yes, indeed, Toni — stand up, speak up, now!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It’s becoming a scary world to live in.
You’re welcome, Victoria. Good to hear from you. Yes, it’s a scary world; but, gracias a dios, Mexico is sane and sturdy. We’re fortunate to be here.
Bonnie querida,
I have never forgotten that scene and the chilling comments about “Papa Bongo”. Scary, everything.
Yes, querida Te! And equally scary now. 🙁