When the U.S. Army celebrates its 250th birthday on June 14—a date that also happens to be former President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday—Washington, D.C., will turn into a full-blown military showcase. Expect tanks rolling down the streets, troops marching in formation, and vintage World War II and Vietnam-era aircraft soaring overhead.
But the parade won’t be all steel and spectacle—it’ll also feature a touch of charm: 34 horses, two mules, a wagon, and one special dog.
That dog is “Doc Holliday,” a Blue Heeler (also known as an Australian Cattle Dog) who’s part of the 1st Cavalry Division’s Horse Cavalry Detachment based at Fort Cavazos, Texas. According to Army Col. Kamil Sztalkoper, the name is likely a nod to the legendary gunslinger famously portrayed by Val Kilmer in Tombstone.
Doc joined the unit over two years ago as a puppy. The detachment primarily performs at community events, often with a wagon pulled by the two mules—Doc’s favorite ride. “He’s used to parades,” said Sztalkoper. Doc has already appeared twice in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. “He’s sweet and playful, but he knows when it’s time to get serious.”
Doc and his team will leave Texas on June 10 to ensure they’re in D.C. in time for the big day.
The celebration is part of a large-scale effort by the Army—and now President Trump—to mark the service’s milestone with a weeklong festival, culminating in the massive parade. About 6,700 soldiers are set to take part. Planning has been underway for nearly two years, but the event expanded significantly following Trump’s return to office.
Trump pushed for a military parade during his first term, though it was canceled after the projected cost reached $90 million. This time around, the Army’s portion is expected to cost up to $45 million, not including the major security measures required—on par with a Super Bowl or presidential inauguration.
While there’s no official plan for the eight participating military bands to sing “Happy Birthday” to Trump, the Golden Knights parachute team will land on the White House Ellipse and present him with a folded American flag. After the parade, Trump will lead 250 Army enlistees in taking the constitutional oath.
“It’s a lot of money, sure,” said Army spokesman Steve Warren, “but it pales in comparison to 250 years of service and sacrifice by American soldiers. This is a chance to strengthen the bond between America and her Army.”
Though not the first military parade in D.C., this is expected to be one of the largest. The last major one was in 1991 under President George H.W. Bush, celebrating the end of the Gulf War.
The Army says the parade will be a visual journey through its history—starting with Revolutionary War re-enactors, moving through World War II with M4 Sherman tanks and vintage jeeps, and featuring flyovers by a B-25 Mitchell bomber, a C-47 Skytrain, and four P-51 Mustang fighter planes. More modern eras will be represented by iconic helicopters like the UH-1 Huey, AH-1 Cobra, AH-64 Apache, and CH-47 Chinook.
Adding to the show of force will be 28 M1 Abrams tanks, 28 Stryker vehicles, and six Paladin self-propelled howitzers. The tanks began their journey this week from Fort Cavazos, traveling by rail to Jessup, Maryland, before being trucked into D.C. and staged near the Lincoln Memorial.
As for Doc Holliday, he’ll be right there with his unit—watching history roll by from the back of a wagon.
