436 New York Guard Soldiers to March in Army’s 250th Birthday Parade

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 11, 2025 — A proud moment awaits as 436 Soldiers from the New York Army National Guard’s 42nd Infantry Division gear up to march in the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday parade on Saturday, June 14. These dedicated servicemen and women will be part of a massive 6,700-troop formation participating in a celebration that honors over two centuries of American military history.

A Historic March from the Rainbow Division

The 42nd Infantry Division, also known as the “Rainbow Division,” holds a unique position in Army history and will play a special role in the parade. Representing the World War I era, the contingent will march alongside the 4th Infantry Division of the active-duty Army, with additional Soldiers dressed in WWI-era uniforms leading the formation.

The Rainbow Division was born during the Great War, forged from National Guard units across 26 states. It was organized in Garden City, Long Island, and named for the idea that it would “stretch across the country like a rainbow.” General Douglas MacArthur, who later rose to fame in World War II, served as its first Chief of Staff.

Major General Jack James, current commander of the 42nd Infantry Division, will lead the parade contingent along with a color guard.

“The 42nd Infantry Division is honored to represent the entire U.S. Army in WWI at the Army’s 250th birthday parade,” said Maj. Gen. James. “The legacy forged by Rainbow Division Soldiers on battlefields across France marked the 42nd as one of the premier divisions of the American Expeditionary Force. We are proud to carry their torch.”

Soldiers from Across New York and Beyond

The 436-strong unit includes Soldiers from the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, part of the 42nd Division headquartered in Syracuse, NY. Troops are being drawn from several New York locations including:

Niagara Falls
Buffalo
Syracuse
Utica
New York City
The Hudson Valley

Joining them are 30 Soldiers from Massachusetts belonging to the 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment, a unit also assigned to the 27th Brigade. Another 30 Soldiers from the 42nd Infantry Division Band, based at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill, will provide ceremonial music during the parade.

Army’s Founding: A Tribute 250 Years in the Making

The U.S. Army marks its official founding on June 14, 1775, when the Continental Congress authorized the enlistment of troops for a united colonial force. This year’s seminal 250th anniversary parade commemorates that pivotal moment and celebrates the evolution of the Army over the past two and a half centuries.

The event will feature:

28 M1A2 Abrams tanks
28 M3 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles
28 Stryker vehicles
4 M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzers
Flyovers from historic Army aircraft and helicopters

The parade route stretches along Constitution Avenue, passing national landmarks such as the White House and the National Mall.

National Guard: Only Division from the Reserve Component

Among the 11 Army divisions participating in the parade, the 42nd Infantry Division stands out as the only National Guard division with a marching contingent. The participation highlights the key role National Guard units play in supporting both domestic and international missions.

While these units march in D.C., the headquarters elements of the 42nd Infantry Division are currently undergoing pre-deployment training at Fort Indiantown Gap in Pennsylvania, preparing for a Middle East mission.

Logistics and Soldier Support

Soldiers moved from their home stations across New York and Massachusetts to Washington on June 11. They’ll return home by June 15. Their accommodations include an unused Department of Agriculture office building and a General Services Administration warehouse, the same facilities used by 500 New York Guardsmen during the 2021 Presidential Inauguration.

The Army is covering the full cost of this deployment, including meals and per-diem. Soldiers will receive:

MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) for breakfast and lunch
Hot dinners
$69 daily per diem

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Celebration

The Army’s 250th birthday parade is designated a National Special Security Event, reflecting the anticipated scale of attendance and the high-profile nature of the occasion. The New York National Guard’s participation stands as a proud testament to their history, readiness, and dedication to service.

With Soldiers marching in period uniforms, massive military hardware displays, and a celebration of historical proportions, the event promises to be a defining patriotic moment for those participating—and for the thousands who will line the streets of Washington, D.C., to honor the U.S. Army’s incredible 250-year journey.