Additional Coverage:
- JD Vance interrupts DC military parade speech with emotional two-word message to wife (irishstar.com)
Amidst a backdrop of military might and swirling controversy, Vice President JD Vance took a moment to publicly wish his wife a happy anniversary during his address at the capital’s military parade. The Vice President and Second Lady, ages 40 and 39 respectively, celebrated nine years of marriage, having wed on June 14, 2014, shortly after graduating from Yale Law School.
The anniversary wishes came on the heels of President Trump’s own address before a country music concert, marked by what some considered a bizarre remark to assembled troops. The parade itself commenced 30 minutes ahead of schedule due to threatening weather, forcing adjustments to planned festivities, including the cancellation of the Army Golden Knights parachute drop.
Despite the rain, the display of military hardware was impressive. According to the U.S.
Army, 6,169 soldiers marched alongside 128 tanks, armored personnel carriers, and artillery pieces, while 62 aircraft soared overhead. The event, coinciding with President Trump’s 79th birthday, is estimated to have cost between $25 and $45 million.
The Army anticipates up to 200,000 attendees for the day’s events, which include fitness challenges, live demonstrations, equipment exhibitions, musical performances, and a celebratory cake-cutting.
However, the day was also marked by dissent, with over 2,000 counterprotests taking place nationwide.