Everyone loves a parade

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Historical records indicate that parades were first held about 4,000 years ago to celebrate the Mesopotamian religious festival of Akitu; they soon included royal investitures and military victories, as Babylonians realised that everybody loves a parade.

On June 14 that ancient tradition was kept alive by marking the 250th anniversary of the United States Army, and the 79th birthday of President Donald Trump, with a military parade in Washington, DC. This spectacle costing about US$45 million, included more than 6,000 troops, some dressed in uniforms worn in the Revolutionary War. Others appeared in uniforms from historic wars that America had participated in, and there were many tanks, armoured vehicles and other equipment from the past and present on display, including helicopters and parachutists. Inclement weather failed to follow military orders, with scheduled fly-over by fighter jets cancelled.

The White House reported that crowds taking in this vainglorious event numbered about 250,000, but others disputed those numbers as decidedly overblown. All this took place against the backdrop of huge protests in cities across America labelled ‘No Kings’, inferring that President Trump was acting like a monarch; while decrying how he was implementing removal of illegal immigrants. Every state held protests except Minnesota where they were cancelled following shootings of state lawmakers.

The massive parade made its way along Constitution Avenue, passing the Army and government top brass in a reviewing stand protected by bullet-proof glass, behind which President Trump stood and saluted several times. It was great entertainment for some, but 60 per cent in the polarised nation voiced disapproval of spending government funds in this way, while 78 per cent of those polled stated they didn’t care one way or the other.

Only a few hours earlier across in Merrie Olde Englande, the Sovereign’s Official Birthday was celebrated with Trooping The Colour, a military extravaganza that was first performed in 1675 for King Charles II, and an annual event since 1748. This year about 1500 soldiers dressed in scarlet uniforms and black bearskin helmets paraded with over 200 horses, and 400 musicians in the marching bands. The King, Queen, Princess of Wales and her children all rode in open horse-drawn carriages waving to huge patriotic crowds, many bedecked in Union Jack flags, before returning to Buckingham Palace for more waving to the masses during a flypast by fighter jets.

Military celebrations on the very same day in London and Washington showed just how differently everybody loves a parade.

BERNIE SMITH

Parksville, BC

Canada