Current plans call for a parade of ships on October 9 to mark the 250th anniversary, during which approximately a dozen vessels will travel down the Delaware River.

The United States Naval Academy’s Midshipmen won last year’s famed “Army-Navy” football match-up, the 125th showdown between the services on the gridiron. The Navy has the better record overall, with 63 wins—compared to 55 victories for the Army and seven ties.

The interservice rivalry may not be limited to the football field this year. The US Navy is reportedly in the planning stages of pulling out all the stops to celebrate its 250th anniversary in October—aiming to outshine the somewhat lackluster US Army parade held in Washington, DC on June 14. 

 

 

The Parade Is Meant to Honor the US Navy and Marine Corps

Current plans call for a parade of ships on October 9 to mark the 250th anniversary, during which approximately a dozen vessels will travel down the Delaware River and dock at four locations, including both sides of the New Jersey and Pennsylvania borders. Throughout the rest of the month, free ship tours will also be offered to the public.

“We’re not just commemorating history,” Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker told CBS News. “We’re creating it, in essence, from daily tours of naval ships along the Delaware River to the nationally televised concert, a patriotic parade, and the thrilling Blue Angel flyovers. This will be a once-in-a-generation celebration.”

The US Navy and US Marine Corps were first established in Philadelphia in the fall of 1775. Unlike Washington, Philadelphia has significant riverfront venues to host such a naval parade.

“We want our nation’s citizens to get to know their sea services, and that this event is an opportunity for us to celebrate the history,” said U.S. Fleet Forces Vice Admiral John Gumbleton. “The heritage and the legacy of the mighty warships and service members who sailed proudly at sea in times of peace, in times of uncertainty, and when called upon in times of war.”

In early November, the City of Brotherly Love will hold another round of celebrations to mark the founding of the US Marine Corps. The US Air Force will need to wait a while for its own 250th birthday, as it was only founded as a separate branch of the military in September 1947.

President Trump Was Disappointed by the Army Parade

There have been unconfirmed rumors that President Donald Trump, who also happened to celebrate his 79th birthday on June 14, was “disappointed” by the outcome. Turnout was lower than expected, and although the presence of historic vehicles and soldiers in period uniforms was the highlight, the event lacked the polish and choreography typically seen in military parades around the world.

Indeed, the parade was widely mocked on social media, showing US soldiers in camouflage fatigues walking, rather than marching, down the capital’s streets. Internet commentators compared the soldiers’ apparent lack of discipline to well-dressed soldiers in Russia and China locked in step.

There have been other reports, including from The Wall Street Journal, that Trump has called for a second event in October to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the US Navy’s founding. However, it should be noted that plans had already been in place for celebrations throughout the month in Philadelphia, where the US Navy was first founded.

Unlike the US Army parade in Washington, DC, there is no danger of the US Navy’s parade damaging the streets, as events will be hosted along the Delaware River.