Preparations are underway for the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary parade in Washington D.C., which also falls on President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.

Held in the nation’s capital, the event is set to include Army parachutists jumping from aircraft, landing and giving Trump an American flag for his birthday, Pentagon officials said, according to Axios.

More than two dozen M1 Abrams tanks, scores of infantry vehicles and thousands of soldiers are also expected to be involved in the event.

A rare sight in Washington D.C., the last major military parade was held in 1991 to celebrate the end of the first Gulf War. The large military movement into the city comes only days after Trump sent 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles amid an immigration crackdown and protests.

With only days before the Saturday, June 14 event, tanks, helicopters and other military vehicles are beginning to stage in the nation’s capital.

Photos: Preparations underway for US Army’s 250th anniversary parade

Contributing: George Petras and Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

WASHINGTON – Changes are coming to the Georgetown Waterfront.

D.C. leaders unveiled a plan Tuesday morning to increase public access, specifically for non-motorized boating activities along the Potomac River, after a decade in the making. The District, Georgetown University and the National Park Service will take part in land swap.

What we know:

D.C. officials say Georgetown will donate a parcel of land on the Potomac River to the National Park Service to be added to the boundary of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. This will allow for a continuous path from the Capital Crescent Trail to the Georgetown Waterfront Park.

The National Park will then transfer jurisdiction of two parcels at the base of the Key Bridge to the district, which will then transfer the site to the west of the bridge to Georgetown to create a university boathouse, serving as a hub for the men’s and women’s rowing teams.

“Mayor Bowser has made this a big point. D.C. is a waterfront city and we’ve got wonderful access to the water and recreational opportunities, and this final push to complete the land swap is going to unlock this access to the river at this particular point which is right under the Key Bridge,” said Nina Albert, D.C. Deputy Mayor for planning and economic development.

Dig deeper:

Georgetown will provide year-round public access to the boathouse docks, giving the community access to kayak, paddle board and canoe along the Potomac River.

This increased access will benefit rowers, like D.C. resident Ivin Boddy, who frequents the Potomac River.

“I think it would increase more of our foreign visitors and our domestic visitors coming to town. So, I think it would definitely do some great justice for them,” Boddy said.

Others like D.C. resident Zaidun Jawdat, who frequents the area often, are curious to see what eventually happens.

“We enjoy it completely. We’re happy with it,” said Jawdat.
“I’m not sure just how much is going to change. I guess if they invest in structures and docking wharfs – maybe that changes the character.”

The land transaction is currently being finalized – and residents should expect to see changes within the next few years.

WASHINGTON – A humid and cloudy Tuesday across the D.C. area, with highs in the mid-80s and a chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Morning temperatures range from the upper 60s to low 70s, with dense air making outdoor conditions uncomfortable.

Storms and humidity 

What we know:

Spotty showers may develop early, particularly south toward Fredericksburg and southern Maryland, as well as northwest near Hagerstown and parts of West Virginia.

A cold front is expected to move through later in the day, bringing relief from high humidity and reducing the risk of showers and storms.

Temperatures should peak around 84 degrees, with a chance of pop-up storms through the afternoon. Skies will clear overnight, and humidity will drop, leading to drier conditions by Wednesday.

Wildfire smoke returns

Wednesday will be less humid, though Canadian wildfire smoke is expected to return, creating hazy sunshine.

By late this week, clouds will build again as temperatures rise, bringing unsettled weather heading into the weekend.