US Secret Service: Preparing for hundreds of thousands of attendees at June 14 army parade in Washington DC

US Secret Service: Preparing for hundreds of thousands of attendees at June 14 army parade in Washington DC

The US Secret Service (USS) is gearing up for one of its most significant events this year: the 250th birthday celebration of the US Army, set to take place on June 14, 2025, in Washington DC. The event, which promises to draw hundreds of thousands of attendees, will feature a grand military parade, flyovers, and a fireworks display.

The parade, scheduled to commence at the Pentagon and travel across the Arlington Memorial Bridge into Washington, will include 150 vehicles, 50 aircraft, and 6,600 soldiers. The event will be a National Special Security Event (NSSE), which requires extensive preparations to ensure public safety and traffic control [2].

The USS has implemented stringent security measures to accommodate the large crowd. Road closures and parking restrictions will be in effect along the parade route and the National Mall. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also suspended airline operations at Reagan National Airport to facilitate aircraft flyovers [2].

The US Army has assured the city that it will foot the bill for any road repairs, but concerns remain about the potential damage to local infrastructure. The parade is expected to cause significant wear and tear on the roads, with the District of Columbia (D.C.) estimating that street damage could total $16 million [1].

The parade's impact on the District will extend beyond road damage. The city is likely to be responsible for fronting costs to fix any unusable streets, and it will then seek reimbursement from the federal government. However, the overall bill for the federal and city governments remains unclear.

The USS has been working closely with the D.C. government to ensure the event runs smoothly. "We're relying on their expertise," said D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser, who added that the Army has moved equipment in more precarious situations before [1].

The celebration is expected to cost the Army between $25 million and $45 million. The overall financial impact on the federal and city governments remains uncertain, but the D.C. mayor has expressed concern about the city's allotment for security funding, which is set to be exhausted by the end of the fiscal year [1].

The US Army's 250th celebration promises to be a spectacle, but it also presents significant logistical and financial challenges for the city and the US Secret Service. With extensive preparations underway, the event is set to be a historic celebration of the Army's contributions to the nation.

References:
[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/06/09/army-parade-route-dc-national-mall/
[2] https://mpdc.dc.gov/page/250th-birthday-us-army-grand-military-parade