By Francisco Pastor ’20
THE ROUNDUP
After witnessing the Bastille Day parade in a state visit to France last July, President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon and top military officials to prepare an American military parade.
However, the U.S. has not had a military parade since President George Bush Sr. was president back in 1991, after the victory against Saddam Hussein in the Gulf War.
It is reported in The Hill that officials are planning for Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, as the day of the parade.
There are some who do not see a military parade beneficial for the U.S.
“I think that military parades are for unstable countries like Russia and North Korea that need to show the world their ‘capable’ militaries,” said Mr. Scott Middlemist, who served as a reserve Army officer from 1991-2000, and also served in a military intelligence unit.
The U.S. spends more than any other country on its military. With a budget of $598 billion dollars, the US is known to have one of the mightiest military powers in the modern era. Within the military, there are 1,281,900 people serving .
According to www.npr.org, it is reported that a parade could cost anywhere from $3 million dollars to $50 million dollars.
“I’d like to see parade money spent on worn out infrastructure like cracked bridges and crumbling highways,” said Mr. Middlemist.
Others see a parade as beneficial for America and its strength.
“If we are to have a military parade, it would show the world our might and strength,” said Jordan Miller ’20.
Dylan McCardell ’20 agreed with Miller’s point.
“If the United States has a military parade, it would boost American pride,” said Dylan McCardell ’20.
The U.S.spends more than any other country on its military. With a budget of $598 billion dollars, the US is known to have one of the mightiest military powers in the modern era. Within the military, there are 1,281,900 people serving .
Mr. Middlemist said that “for a country like the U.S., a parade serves little purpose.”
“We’ve been at war since 2001, and the world is well aware how powerful our military is.”