Nearly 500 Fort Campbell soldiers head to D.C. for Army anniversary parade
Nearly 500 Fort Campbell soldiers will be in Washington, D.C., as the nation prepares for the Army's 250th birthday.
The Army base, home of the 101st Airborne, will provide seven infantry squad vehicles, the only ones of its kind featured in the national parade.
'It is our honor to represent the 101st Airborne and Fort Campbell in this historic celebration of the Army's 250th birthday,' said Col. Martin Meiners, 101st Abn. Div. spokesperson. 'Our history is America's history—from the airborne drops in Normandy to today's modern battlefields, Screaming Eagles have answered the call. We are proud to celebrate the legacy of our 101st Airborne Soldiers and Veterans who have defended freedom around the world since WWII.'
According to Meiners, soldiers participating in the event include Army band members, squad vehicle drivers and soldiers dressed in commemorative uniforms, paying tribute to veterans of the Vietnam War and displaying current combat uniforms.
The lineup includes the following:
Approximately 200 soldiers will march in Vietnam-era uniforms
Approximately 200 Soldiers will march in the current 101st Airborne Division uniforms
Approximately 20 Soldiers from 101st band will perform
Approximately seven Infantry Squad Vehicles will be featured (The only ones in the parade being from Fort Campbell.)
Approximately 50 Soldiers will march and ride in tactical combat uniforms
The group of 50 soldiers will represent the Army of 2030, which will have the most modern equipment available, not widely spread across the rest of the Army, Meiners said in a Fort Campbell media release.
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The vintage Vietnam-era uniforms worn will represent the Army's service in that conflict, and honor historic 101st Airborne Division's battles such as 'Hamburger Hill.'
Additionally, the base's 'Transformation in Contact' platoon will be there to represent the "Army of the future" as the 101st of today employs the most modern vehicles, weapons, drones and equipment, the release said.
Meiners said the platoon will showcase Infantry Squad Vehicles (ISV), a Small Multipurpose Equipment Transporter (S-MET), Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) and small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).
Fort Campbell soldiers will also participate in events around the parade, including an Army-wide fitness competition, sports activities, a re-enlistment ceremony and live music from the 101st Airborne Division Band.
The parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. EST/ 5:30 CST. The route will begin at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and cross the Potomac River to the National Mall.
Kenya Anderson is a reporter for The Leaf-Chronicle. She can be contacted at kanderson@gannett.com or on X at kenyaanderson32. Sign up for the Leaf-Chronicle to support local journalism at www.theleafchronicle.com.
This article originally appeared on Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle: Fort Campbell soldiers head to D.C. for Trump military parade
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