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DEAR EDITOR:
A recent Sound Off writer from Hubbard admonished prior contributors who complained about the military parade for the 250th anniversary of the Army, which took place on the president's birthday.
"Hubbard" urged those contributors to "do your research" and then asserted, "… this parade was first being planned under the Biden administration."
Hubbard's position mirrored what was apparently circulating on social media as a response to criticism of the parade's costs and totalitarian appearance.
As instructed, I did my research of public records readily available to everyone.
In June 2024, the U.S. Military District of Washington, during the Biden administration, did file a permit application for a festival celebrating the Army's 250th birthday. However, the permit request was not for a parade, but for a festival involving a maximum of 300 military and civilian personnel, no tanks, armored vehicles, marching troops, air support or street closures.
In March 2025, the Trump administration requested the permit for the parade, which subsequently took place for costs estimated between $25 million and $45 million, involving 6,600 military personnel, 150 armored vehicles, 50 aircraft and closure of roadways in part of the city.
Pointing to Biden as a response to valid criticism is clearly not warranted.
BRUCE R. EPSTEIN
Warren