Others came to protest what they saw as too much spectacle and expense (reportedly as much as $45 million) for a military parade that just happened to be on the president’s 79th birthday. The crowds were smaller than anticipated,

A 33-mile trip from one protest in Annapolis, Md., to the parade grandstand in front of the White House was like a journey between two different countries.

President Donald Trump praised the United States Army as the “greatest, fiercest and bravest fighting force” at the conclusion of a grand display of military might in the nation’s capital Saturday as the Army celebrated its 250th birthday with a parade.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Grand military parade in DC marking US Army’s 250th birthday kicks off with tanks, troops and 21-gun salute.