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The tanks for Trump's July Fourth 'Salute to America' have rolled through Washington before
Metaphorically, of course.
Retropolis
The tanks for Trump’s July Fourth ‘Salute to America’ have rolled through Washington before
By Gillian Brockell, Staff writer for Retropolis
July 3 at 7:15 AM
It has been 28 years since tanks last rolled through the streets of Washington, leaving heavy tread marks in the asphalt along the way.
On Tuesday night, [link:By Gillian Brockell Gillian Brockell Staff writer for Retropolis Email Bio Follow July 3 at 7:15 AM It has been 28 years since tanks last rolled through the streets of Washington, leaving heavy tread marks in the asphalt along the way. On Tuesday night, they came back. Specifically, two M1A2 Abrams tanks, weighing 70 tons each, with several other military vehicles, were moved onto the Mall via flatbed trucks for President Trump’s “Salute to America” July Fourth extravaganza.|they came back]. Specifically, two M1A2 Abrams tanks, weighing 70 tons each, with several other military vehicles, were moved onto the Mall via flatbed trucks for President Trump’s “Salute to America” July Fourth extravaganza.
No president since Richard Nixon has participated in an Independence Day celebration — and Nixon didn’t speak in person. This one will feature a speech by Trump in front of the Lincoln Memorial, ticketed VIP seating for Trump donors, two fireworks displays, flyovers by the Blue Angels, Air Force One and other military jets. The National Park Service has diverted $2.5 million from its entrance and recreation fees to help pay for it all.
But it was the appearance of the Abrams tanks that many in Washington found most astonishing.
Tanks weren’t always such a rare appearance in the capital city, though. Here’s a brief history of armored vehicles in Washington.
{snip}
Gillian Brockell is a staff writer for The Washington Post's history blog, Retropolis. She has been at The Post since 2013 and previously worked as a video editor. Follow https://twitter.com/gbrockell
The tanks for Trump’s July Fourth ‘Salute to America’ have rolled through Washington before
By Gillian Brockell, Staff writer for Retropolis
July 3 at 7:15 AM
It has been 28 years since tanks last rolled through the streets of Washington, leaving heavy tread marks in the asphalt along the way.
On Tuesday night, [link:By Gillian Brockell Gillian Brockell Staff writer for Retropolis Email Bio Follow July 3 at 7:15 AM It has been 28 years since tanks last rolled through the streets of Washington, leaving heavy tread marks in the asphalt along the way. On Tuesday night, they came back. Specifically, two M1A2 Abrams tanks, weighing 70 tons each, with several other military vehicles, were moved onto the Mall via flatbed trucks for President Trump’s “Salute to America” July Fourth extravaganza.|they came back]. Specifically, two M1A2 Abrams tanks, weighing 70 tons each, with several other military vehicles, were moved onto the Mall via flatbed trucks for President Trump’s “Salute to America” July Fourth extravaganza.
No president since Richard Nixon has participated in an Independence Day celebration — and Nixon didn’t speak in person. This one will feature a speech by Trump in front of the Lincoln Memorial, ticketed VIP seating for Trump donors, two fireworks displays, flyovers by the Blue Angels, Air Force One and other military jets. The National Park Service has diverted $2.5 million from its entrance and recreation fees to help pay for it all.
But it was the appearance of the Abrams tanks that many in Washington found most astonishing.
Just left the Nats game, and we were greeted by Trump's tanks rolling through just outside the ballpark @fox5dc @nbcwashington
Link to tweet
Tanks weren’t always such a rare appearance in the capital city, though. Here’s a brief history of armored vehicles in Washington.
{snip}
Gillian Brockell is a staff writer for The Washington Post's history blog, Retropolis. She has been at The Post since 2013 and previously worked as a video editor. Follow https://twitter.com/gbrockell