Trump’s military parade — it’s expensive, but it’s worth the cost

Trump critics have taken to the airwaves and the internet to mock the idea of holding a military parade. They’ve cited everything from cost logistics, to the supposed image it may project, as valid reasons for squashing it. Robert O’Neill, the former Navy SEAL who is credited with having killed Osama bin Laden, even went so far as to call military parades “third world bullshit” in a tweet last week.

Military parades may not sit well with some Americans because they evoke images of Russian troops parading past the Kremlin, or obsequious Koreans in Pyongyang marching in goose-step as their dictator Kim Jong Un waves them on.

{mosads}This may have more to do with the imagery routinely used by the media to portray America’s adversaries rather than born out of a true understanding of where displays of military pride and prowess take place around the globe.

Trump has made popular the fact that France holds a military parade on July 15, Bastille Day, when he referenced it as a source of inspiration for hosting something similar in Washington D.C. to mark July 4. France is, however, just one of many European, non-“third world” countries, to hold such an event.

Italy has been celebrating Festa della Repubblica (Republic Day) for over 70 years, complete with an air show that is presided over by the country’s president, on June 2.

National Day in Luxembourg, held on June 23, is not complete without an official ceremony followed by a gun salute and a military parade.

Britain’s annual Trooping of the Colour celebration, with roots in the 17th century and now held on a Saturday every June, may be less known for the pomp and pageantry displayed by British armed forces than for the images of Queen Elizabeth and the royal family standing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, looking towards the sky to observe a Royal Air Force fly-past.

What is also an official celebration of the Queen’s birthday is not the only military-laden holiday the British celebrate in June: Armed Forces Day is celebrated later in the month to commemorate the sacrifices made by British veterans, complete with another military parade.

The Belgians mark their National Day, July 21, with a parade by the Belgian Army and police, after a mass is held at the Cathedral of Brussels.

For nearly 100 years, on an Aug. 15 national holiday, Polish armed forces roll out their tanks and armament to honor Poland’s victory against Soviet Russia in 1920. Poland is just one of several northeastern European countries to host such an event.

Spain marks October 12 with a military parade in Madrid to not only honor Christopher Columbus, but to celebrate its Day of the Armed Forces.

Sweden, which increased military spending and re-introduced conscription in 2017, has its army march each year in honor of the king’s birthday.

Finland celebrates Independence Day on December 6 with a military parade and showcase of military equipment. Last year’s event, which marked 100 years of Finnish independence, was headlined “National defense is everybody’s business.”

Citing budgetary issues as a reason to not hold a parade is not convincing, as claims that spending tax dollars on a parade means less money for taking care of our veterans is like saying that because a family celebrates Christmas, or a child’s birthday, it cannot possibly make next month’s mortgage payment.

On Wednesday, budget director Mick Mulvaney said the parade could cost anywhere in the range of 10 to 30 million dollars. The last military parade the U.S. held — to mark the end of the first Gulf War — cost $21 million in today’s dollars.

By way of comparison, Obama’s 2009 inauguration cost the city of Washington D.C. alone $63.4 million, and a total cost of $170 million according to some estimates.

Rolling out America’s nukes and parading giant warheads down Pennsylvania Avenue is not needed to convince the world that the U.S. is the most powerful country. But hosting a military parade and marketing it as a fundraiser that focuses on veterans’ issues would be a terrific way to show just how caring and compassionate we are.

Organizers should ensure that the event pays tribute to what some have called the best kept secret of modern-day American war-fighting: civilians.

Hundreds of thousands of Americans that are not counted in “one percent” that serve in the military, have served, fought and died in global-hot spots since 9/11 — in Afghanistan, civilians outnumbered troops 3:1 in 2016 — and have left them with the same indelible scars as our brothers and sisters in uniform.

Having done four tours in Iraq myself  and subsequent service in Pakistan, I know very well the impression and legacy civilians have made on the mechanics of 21st century warfare.

The U.S. is the most generous country in the world, and Trump should tap into that. Americans gave over $370 billion to charitable causes in 2016 alone — more money than the entire nominal GDP of more than 160 countries, according to 2016 World Bank financial figures.

A military parade can be the kick-start in the U.S. to what Prince Harry has done for veterans issues in the U.K., for example, when he launched the Invictus Games in 2014. By raising the profile of the veteran, much more good can come from an event that offsets the costs of hosting it.

Armand Cucciniello III is a public relations and communication executive, writer, and political commentator. He was a a senior press officer for the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad from 2006-2010; in Pakistan he managed a counter-narco-terrorism program funded by the Dept. of Defense. He has written for Dow Jones Newswires, TIME, USA Today, The Daily Caller and has appeared on many TV and radio programs including NPR and CNN. You can follow him on Twitter @ArmandVC3.