(The Epoch Times)—About 6,600 U.S. Army soldiers are set to march through the streets of Washington this afternoon, in a parade commemorating 250 years of service.
These soldiers will wear uniforms and present equipment reflecting the distinct conflicts and periods of the Army’s history, starting with the Revolutionary War and including World War II, Vietnam, and continuing up to the present day.
The parade is also set to feature around 150 military vehicles, including dozens of tanks and other heavy armored vehicles. There are also planned flyovers with helicopters and World War II-era planes.
“For two and a half centuries, the men and women of America’s army have dominated our enemies and protected our freedom at home,” President Donald Trump said in a June 5 video statement promoting the event.
“This parade salutes our soldiers’ remarkable strength and unbeatable spirit. You won’t want to miss it.”
The Army will begin the day with a birthday wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery at 8:15 a.m. E.T.
Starting at 9:30 a.m., the Army will host a fitness competition and festival on the National Mall.
The parade itself is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of 23rd St. NW and Constitution Avenue and continue east on Constitution Avenue before ending on 15th St. NW.
Following the parade, the Army has planned a concert and fireworks display on the National Mall.
In an event permit submitted to the National Park Service this week, event planners estimated as many as 200,000 people could participate in the Saturday festivities.
While the parade is billed as a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Army’s formation on June 14, 1775, the event also coincides with Flag Day and President Trump’s 79th birthday.
The president sought a military parade during his first term but faced criticisms. In 2018, a plan emerged to commemorate Veterans Day and the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I with a military parade, but the idea fell through as cost estimates for the event rose as high as $92 million.
The Army has estimated its Saturday event could cost $25 million to $45 million.
While not as costly as the scrapped 2018 plan, this event still has its skeptics.
At a House Armed Services Committee hearing this month, Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.) asked Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, “If Congress wrote the Army a $45 million blank check, do you think you could find a better way to spend that money than a parade?”
Driscoll replied that the parade represents a unique opportunity to market the Army and boost recruiting for years to come.
“I believe very specifically that telling that story will directly lead to a recruiting boom that will fill up our pipeline for the coming years,” Driscoll said.
Other critics have questioned the timing of this particular parade and accused the president of using the parade as a self-aggrandizing display.
“Trump is throwing himself a $30 million birthday parade just to stroke his own ego,” Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), an Army combat veteran, said in a June 5 X post.
This parade comes amid a growing protest movement that began last week in opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations targeting illegal immigrants in Los Angeles. In recent days, these protests have begun to spread across the country.
A coalition of activist groups calling itself “No Kings” has scheduled a series of protests across the country on Saturday to counterprogram the parade.
The parade has also garnered pushback for the potential disruptions it may cause for those living and traveling through Washington.
Local government officials have raised concerns about the potential for the Army’s heavy armored vehicles to damage the local roadways along the parade route.
The Army has taken precautions to limit the risk of road damage, including installing metal plates along pivot points in the parade route. The service has also vowed it will cover the cost of any damage. Still, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser has expressed concerns about the disruptions that road damage may cause.
“These are, for the most part, local streets. And if they’re rendered unusable, we have to make them usable and then go seek our money from the feds,” Bowser said at a May 29 press conference.
Likewise, the flyovers are set to disrupt planned air traffic around Washington. The Federal Aviation Administration plans to suspend flight operations for Reagan Washington National Airport between 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.