Latest news with #SecondWorldWar-era
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump's multi-million-dollar birthday parade plans are underway. What to know as the military prepares
For years, Donald Trump has mused about grand plans of soldiers marching and tanks rumbling down the streets of Washington, D.C., as aircraft whizzed overhead. When Army officials and local politicians warned in 2018 of a $92 million price tag and the risk of extensive damage to roads, Trump decided to scrap his previous attempt for a grand parade of armed forces. But earlier this month, details emerged about another enormous military spectacle in the works, which is set for the capital. The president had ordered an elaborately choreographed military parade to celebrate the Army's 250th anniversary on June 14th with the cost of the day's festivities estimated to be a more modest $45 million, according to Reuters. It also happens to be his 79th birthday. Up to 7,500 soldiers could be expected to march in a parade that runs from Arlington, Virginia, across the Potomac River and into D.C. The parade would pay tribute to the Army's history, from the Revolutionary War to the present day, and feature soldiers marching in period uniforms. The marchers will be joined by a convoy of armored vehicles while vintage aircraft soar overhead. At least seven marching bands, parachute jumpers, an evening concert, and a fireworks show will also take place. Second World War-era B-17 bombers and Apache helicopters are expected to be amongst the 50 aircraft to take to the skies. Meanwhile, approximately 150 vehicles – which range from 68-ton M1 Abrams tanks to eight-wheeled Stryker combat vehicles – are also expected to roll down D.C.'s streets. Soldiers will come from all 10 of the Army's active-duty divisions located across the U.S., according to the Washington Post. Most are due to be housed in the General Services Administration and Agriculture Department buildings in the city. They will receive two ready meals and one hot meal plus $50 per day in additional pay for taking part. The grounds of the Washington Monument will be open to crowds and offer refreshments and bathroom facilities, according to permit application submitted to the National Parks Service. At the same time, the Ellipse will have a presidential review stand, bleachers, and a concert stage. The evening entertainment will commence at 8 p.m. and 'consist of five to seven musical acts' made up of 'well-known performers,' who are 'likely from the country music world,' before the fireworks round off the day at 9.45 pm. Trump and his administration maintain that the parade is to celebrate the 'greatest military in the world.' 'There is no event grand enough to adequately capture our gratitude for the millions of heroes who laid down their lives defending our freedom, but this parade will be a fitting tribute to the service, sacrifice, and selflessness of all who have worn the uniform,' the White House said in a statement. The plans have, however, drawn some ire from congressional Democrats, who have argued the president has co-opted the Army parade. Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed said that it was trademark Trump to make 'everything about him.' 'The only thing he'd be disappointed about is that he couldn't fly his plane over the parade,' he added. Tennessee Representative Steve Cohen called the president a 'self-absorbed con man' and 'egotist-in-chief' who 'wants taxpayers to foot the bill' for his birthday plans.
The Independent
05-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Royals lead VE Day tea parties as flypast marks 80 years since end of war
Hundreds of thousands watched from The Mall in London on Monday as an RAF flypast marked the 80th anniversary of Europe's liberation from the Nazis. Buckingham Palace's balcony hosted the royal family's VE Day commemorations eight decades after King George VI first marked the Second World War's end from the same spot. The aerial spectacle was followed by tea parties across Britain, including in Downing Street, where Sir Keir Starmer served up tea and cakes to veterans and other guests. 'The sacrifices of those who fought for peace must never be forgotten,' the prime minister said. 'It was a privilege to join Second World War veterans. On behalf of the whole country, thank you for your service.' Several royals, including the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, sat among veterans as the current crop of servicemen and women, including Nato allies, marched past the palace in recognition of those who served to defeat Hitler's regime and bring peace to Europe. Charles was seated next to Joy Trew, 98, who served as a wireless operator after enlisting in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force aged 17 in 1944. The veteran said the king 'bent down and tucked me in' to prevent her getting chilly. Also among the royal party were the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and the Duke of Kent, a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. When the King and Queen moved inside and up onto the balcony, they acknowledged the cheers of well-wishers and watched a Second World War-era Lancaster bomber lead the aerial display. The King's naval No.1 dress uniform reflected the outfit worn by his grandfather George VI on VE Day - May 8 1945 - who with the Queen Mother made eight balcony appearances to satisfy boisterous crowds at the palace gates. After Queen Elizabeth II's death in 2022, this was the first landmark VE Day commemoration without any of the royals who stood on the balcony on that day. William dressed in the RAF No.1 uniform while Kate, whose grandfather served in the RAF as a fighter pilot during the Second World War, wore an RAF wings pin brooch. Prince Louis, who recently turned seven, did not disappoint royal fans, pulling faces as planes thundered overhead. Prince George, 11, joined senior royals at the tea party with veterans where a 98-year-old former prisoner of war, a 99-year-old who served with the Desert Rats and took part in the D-Day landings, and a 100-year-old woman who worked in the Special Operations Executive (SOE), known as Churchill's Secret Army, were among 30 veteran guests of honour, according to the Royal British Legion which helped organise the event. The Prince of Wales told 101-year-old Alfred Littlefield, from Portchester, near Portsmouth, that George is 'interested' in learning about those who served in the war, the veteran's granddaughter said. Samantha Davidson, 58, from Denmead in Hampshire, told the PA news agency: 'The prince said George is very interested in finding out about the veterans. George even asked my grandfather how old he was during his service' She said Mr Littlefield was very happy that George had taken an interest in the past. Royal Engineers veteran Mr Littlefield said: 'I'm very proud.' William smiled as he shook hands with veterans and said it was "very important" for George and the 'next generation' to hear the stories from those who fought in the war. Henry Ducker, 104, from Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, said Camilla spoke with him about her father. 'It was an honour to talk with her, she was quite funny, very humorous,' he said. 'We had quite a laugh, she is a lovely woman." Camilla's father, Major Bruce Shand, served with the 12th Lancers during the Second World War and was awarded the Military Cross in 1940 during the retreat to Dunkirk, and again in 1942 for his efforts in North Africa. He died in June 2006 aged 89. On The Mall, two royal fans wore handmade dresses to celebrate VE Day at Buckingham Palace. Retired carer Grace Gothard, from Ghana, made a Union flag dress and hairbow for the occasion. She said the creation took her two weeks to make. 'I made this dress personally. So anytime there's any royal occasion I make my own dresses,' she said. 'It took two weeks to last one was the King's coronation, and that dress is in a museum now.' Her friend Satvinder Cubb wore a dress reading Lest We Forget. 'I know people who have actually fought in the war,' she said. 'I have a very close friend, he's 94 and was 14 at the time. It's just about thanking them all. We're here for a reason and have freedom now. It's important for us to be a part of it." Across London in Tower Hamlets, war survivors, refugees and local families joined together for a VE Day street party in one of Britain's most bombed neighbourhoods. The event – in Docklands, one of the locations most heavily hit during the Blitz – was organised by the Bengali Association, local refugee support and other community groups. It featured 1940s music and dancing, Morse code demonstrations and food ranging from BBQ favourites to VE Day biryani. Local refugee Abdul Shakoor, who came to the UK from Pakistan nearly 20 years ago, spoke about his grandfather and uncle's involvement in the British Indian Army. His grandfather fought in Burma and later died from his injuries. He said: 'VE Day means a lot for us. It was a pivotal moment for the whole Indian subcontinent, it was a moment of transformation and looking for a new horizon. 'We were proud of fighting with the Allied forces. A major part of the British Army that fought in Africa and Europe came from Pakistan and India.' In nearby Wanstead, Marjorie Gadd, 89, recalled the lights from boats marking VE Day in Falmouth, Cornwall where her family had fled during the war. 'The whole harbour was alight - it was so magical,' she said. 'My mother said, 'You've seen history, you'll never forget this' - and she was right.' This week's commemorative events were kicked off on Monday by actor Timothy Spall who delivered some of the words of Sir Winston Churchill's 1945 victory speech in Parliament Square. 'My dear friends, this is your hour,' he read aloud. 'This is not victory of a party or of any class. It's a victory of the Great British nation as a whole.'
Powys County Times
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Royal family leads VE Day commemorations from Buckingham Palace balcony
Buckingham Palace's famous balcony hosted the royal family's VE Day commemorations 80 years after King George VI first marked the Second World War's end from the same spot. The historic moment saw thousands flock to The Mall in 1945 and the scenes were repeated on Monday as crowds gathered to greet the King and Queen and watch an RAF flypast after an armed forces parade through the capital. Members of the monarchy sat with veterans as the current crop of servicemen and women, including Nato allies, marched past in recognition of those who served to defeat Hitler's Nazi regime and bring peace to Europe. Later the King stepped on to the balcony with the Queen and was joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, to acknowledge the cheers of well-wishers and watch the aerial display led by a Second World War-era Lancaster bomber. The King's naval No.1 dress uniform reflected the outfit worn by his grandfather George VI on VE Day – May 8 1945 – who with the Queen Mother made eight balcony appearances to satisfy boisterous crowds at the palace gates. Planes roared overhead during the aerial display and William chatted to son George, while Louis was seen moving his head from side to side apparently trying to get a better sight of the planes. Louis, who recently celebrated his seventh birthday, seems to revel in these public moments and pulled a face of awe as the RAF aircraft flew overhead. At one point the Waleses, except Charlotte, leaned to the left as the planes, featuring workhorses like a C-17 Globemaster alongside Typhoon FGR4 fighters, flew down The Mall, with the Red Arrows providing the finale.
The Independent
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Royal family leads VE Day commemorations from Buckingham Palace balcony
Buckingham Palace's famous balcony hosted the royal family's VE Day commemorations 80 years after King George VI first marked the Second World War's end from the same spot. The historic moment saw thousands flock to The Mall in 1945 and the scenes were repeated on Monday as crowds gathered to greet the King and Queen and watch an RAF flypast after an armed forces parade through the capital. Members of the monarchy sat with veterans as the current crop of servicemen and women, including Nato allies, marched past in recognition of those who served to defeat Hitler's Nazi regime and bring peace to Europe. Later the King stepped on to the balcony with the Queen and was joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, to acknowledge the cheers of well-wishers and watch the aerial display led by a Second World War-era Lancaster bomber. The King's naval No.1 dress uniform reflected the outfit worn by his grandfather George VI on VE Day – May 8 1945 – who with the Queen Mother made eight balcony appearances to satisfy boisterous crowds at the palace gates. Planes roared overhead during the aerial display and William chatted to son George, while Louis was seen moving his head from side to side apparently trying to get a better sight of the planes. Louis, who recently celebrated his seventh birthday, seems to revel in these public moments and pulled a face of awe as the RAF aircraft flew overhead. At one point the Waleses, except Charlotte, leaned to the left as the planes, featuring workhorses like a C-17 Globemaster alongside Typhoon FGR4 fighters, flew down The Mall, with the Red Arrows providing the finale.
BreakingNews.ie
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
British royal family lead VE Day commemorations from Buckingham Palace balcony
Buckingham Palace's famous balcony hosted the British royal family's VE Day commemorations 80 years after King George VI first marked the Second World War's end from the same spot. The historic moment saw thousands flock to The Mall in 1945 and the scenes were repeated on Monday as crowds gathered to greet Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla and watch an RAF flypast after an armed forces parade through London. Advertisement Members of the monarchy sat with veterans as the current crop of servicemen and women, including Nato allies, marched past in recognition of those who served to defeat Hitler's Nazi regime and bring peace to Europe. Later Charles stepped on to the balcony with Camilla and was joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, to acknowledge the cheers of well-wishers and watch the aerial display led by a Second World War-era Lancaster bomber. Charles' naval No.1 dress uniform reflected the outfit worn by his grandfather George VI on VE Day – May 8th, 1945 – who with the Queen Mother made eight balcony appearances to satisfy boisterous crowds at the palace gates. The Prince of Wales, Prince George, Prince Louis, the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte watch the fly-past (Aaron Chown/PA) Planes roared overhead during the aerial display and William chatted to son George, while Louis was seen moving his head from side to side apparently trying to get a better sight of the planes. Advertisement Louis, who recently celebrated his seventh birthday, seems to revel in these public moments and pulled a face of awe as the RAF aircraft flew overhead. At one point the Waleses, except Charlotte, leaned to the left as the planes, featuring workhorses like a C-17 Globemaster alongside Typhoon FGR4 fighters, flew down The Mall, with the Red Arrows providing the finale.
