President Donald Trump largely stuck to the script during his “Salute to America” outside the Lincoln Memorial on Thursday, championing the U.S. military to a crowd of thousands while planes, helicopters and even a stealth bomber flew overhead.

The president’s touted Fourth of July celebration began with an afternoon downpour earlier in the day, prompting fears that his vows for a display of military might and the “biggest ever” fireworks show would be scuttled. But thousands turned out for the event anyway, many waring red “Make America Great Again” hats, as Trump gave an elaborate military tribute and de facto history lesson.

“Our nation is stronger today than it ever was before,” Trump said Thursday evening. “It is its strongest now.”

At one point, Trump encouraged young people to join the armed forces as he championed those with past military honors who were on hand for the celebrations, including former recipients of the Medal of Honor.

“To young Americans across the country, now is a chance to join the military and make a statement in life, and you should do it,” he said.

Throughout the nearly hourlong address, the president shared a lengthy and at times awkward timeline of each branch of the armed services, referencing Civil War battles and Revolutionary War generals. Between each act, military hardware flew over the National Mall, including an appearance by one of the Air Force’s B-2 stealth bombers and the new Marine One helicopter, which is still in testing.

23 PHOTOSDonald Trump's July Fourth plans take shapeSee GalleryDonald Trump's July Fourth plans take shapeOne of two Bradley Fighting Vehicles driven into place in front of the Lincoln Memorial for President Donald Trump’s ‘Salute to America’ event honoring service branches on Independence Day, Wednesday, July 3, 2019, in Washington. President Donald Trump is promising military tanks along with “Incredible Flyovers & biggest ever Fireworks!” for the Fourth of July. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)A member of the US military (L) is seen inside a Bradley Fighting Vehicle speaks with another member ahead of the “Salute to America” Fourth of July event with US President Donald Trump at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, on July 3, 2019. (Photo by Alastair Pike / AFP)(Photo credit should read ALASTAIR PIKE/AFP/Getty Images)People pose in front of a Bradley Fighting Vehicle and the Lincoln Memorial ahead of the “Salute to America” Fourth of July event with US President Donald Trump at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, on July 3, 2019. (Photo by Alastair Pike / AFP)(Photo credit should read ALASTAIR PIKE/AFP/Getty Images)A Bradley Fighting Vehicle is seen ahead of the “Salute to America” Fourth of July event with US President Donald Trump at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, on July 3, 2019. (Photo by Alastair Pike / AFP)(Photo credit should read ALASTAIR PIKE/AFP/Getty Images)A member of the US military is seen inside a Bradley Fighting Vehicle ahead of the “Salute to America” Fourth of July event with US President Donald Trump at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, on July 3, 2019. (Photo by Alastair Pike / AFP)(Photo credit should read ALASTAIR PIKE/AFP/Getty Images)WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 03: Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump rally on Pennsylvania Avenue on the north side of the White House July 03, 2019 in Washington, DC. Trump is scheduled to address the nation during a Fourth of July speech at the Lincoln Memorial. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)The lectern arrives for the “Salute to America” Fourth of July event with US President Donald Trump at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, July 3, 2019, which will feature flyovers by the Blue Angels, an airplane used as Air Force One, as well as military demonstrations and a speech by Trump. (Photo by Andrew CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)(Photo credit should read ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images)Members of the US military guide a Bradley Fighting Vehicle as preparations are made for the “Salute to America” Fourth of July event with US President Donald Trump at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, July 3, 2019, which will feature flyovers by the Blue Angels, an airplane used as Air Force One, as well as military demonstrations and a speech by Trump. (Photo by Andrew CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)(Photo credit should read ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images)Security check the area as preparations are made for the “Salute to America” Fourth of July event with US President Donald Trump at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, July 3, 2019, which will feature flyovers by the Blue Angels, an airplane used as Air Force One, as well as military demonstrations and a speech by Trump. (Photo by Andrew CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)(Photo credit should read ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images)People gather as preparations are made for the “Salute to America” Fourth of July event with US President Donald Trump at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, July 3, 2019, which will feature flyovers by the Blue Angels, an airplane used as Air Force One, as well as military demonstrations and a speech by Trump. (Photo by Andrew CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)(Photo credit should read ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images)Security check the area as preparations are made for the “Salute to America” Fourth of July event with US President Donald Trump at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, July 3, 2019, which will feature flyovers by the Blue Angels, an airplane used as Air Force One, as well as military demonstrations and a speech by Trump. (Photo by Andrew CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)(Photo credit should read ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images)Security check the area as preparations are made for the “Salute to America” Fourth of July event with US President Donald Trump at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, July 3, 2019, which will feature flyovers by the Blue Angels, an airplane used as Air Force One, as well as military demonstrations and a speech by Trump. (Photo by Andrew CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)(Photo credit should read ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images)Members of the US military are seen next to a Bradley Fighting Vehicle as preparations are made for the “Salute to America” Fourth of July event with US President Donald Trump at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, July 3, 2019, which will feature flyovers by the Blue Angels, an airplane used as Air Force One, as well as military demonstrations and a speech by Trump. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP)(Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)Security barriers are put in the water for the “Salute to America” Fourth of July event with US President Donald Trump at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, July 3, 2019, which will feature flyovers by the Blue Angels, an airplane used as Air Force One, as well as military demonstrations and a speech by Trump. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP)(Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)Workers assemble glass for President Trump’s lectern for the “Salute to America” Fourth of July event with US President Donald Trump at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, July 3, 2019, which will feature flyovers by the Blue Angels, an airplane used as Air Force One, as well as military demonstrations and a speech by Trump. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP)(Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)A Bradley Fighting Vehicle arrives as preparations are made for the “Salute to America” Fourth of July event with US President Donald Trump at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, July 3, 2019, which will feature flyovers by the Blue Angels, an airplane used as Air Force One, as well as military demonstrations and a speech by Trump. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP)(Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)Members of the US military walk by a Bradley Fighting Vehicle as preparations are made for the “Salute to America” Fourth of July event with US President Donald Trump at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, July 3, 2019, which will feature flyovers by the Blue Angels, an airplane used as Air Force One, as well as military demonstrations and a speech by Trump. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP)(Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)Preparations are made for the “Salute to America” Fourth of July event with US President Donald Trump at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, July 3, 2019, which will feature flyovers by the Blue Angels, an airplane used as Air Force One, as well as military demonstrations and a speech by Trump. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)(Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)Members of the US military walk by as preparations are made for the “Salute to America” Fourth of July event with US President Donald Trump at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, July 3, 2019, which will feature flyovers by the Blue Angels, an airplane used as Air Force One, as well as military demonstrations and a speech by Trump. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP)(Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 03: A worker cleans bulletproof glass on the stage where U.S. President Donald Trump will speak at the Lincoln Memorial during the Fourth of July “Salute to America” celebration, on July 3, 2019 in Washington, DC. President Trump will deliver a speech at the memorial with military hardware on display including tanks, and flyovers by military aircraft.(Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)The lectern arrives for the “Salute to America” Fourth of July event with US President Donald Trump at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, July 3, 2019, which will feature flyovers by the Blue Angels, an airplane used as Air Force One, as well as military demonstrations and a speech by Trump. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP)(Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)The lectern arrives for the “Salute to America” Fourth of July event with US President Donald Trump at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, July 3, 2019, which will feature flyovers by the Blue Angels, an airplane used as Air Force One, as well as military demonstrations and a speech by Trump. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP)(Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)People gather as preparations are made for the “Salute to America” Fourth of July event with US President Donald Trump at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, July 3, 2019, which will feature flyovers by the Blue Angels, an airplane used as Air Force One, as well as military demonstrations and a speech by Trump. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP)(Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)Up Next

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The hyped tanks were a letdown for casual paradegoers, as they were reportedly parked inside a VIP section during the event, behind a chain-link fence and out of sight to many.

The day was largely modeled after France’s Bastille Day celebrations, which Trump saw in person in 2017 and has since hoped to re-create. His initial plans to do so during Veterans Day fell flat amid reports it would cost more than $90 million, but the president rallied officials to carry out the “Salute to America” early last month, giving organizers less than 30 days to plan.

Reports earlier this week that Trump had requested military vehicles as part of the July Fourth event prompted experts to warn that the tanks could severely damage streets and bridges. The tanks were ultimately included in the event but remained parked so as not to cause any damage to infrastructure.

The president also glossed over concerns about the cost of shipping tanks to the capital and guarding them. It’s unclear how much Thursday’s event will cost and the White House has refused to elaborate, but Trump drew fire earlier this week amid reports that the National Park Service was directed to divert about $2.5 million in park fees to help pay for it.

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) tweeted on Wednesday: “This is what authoritarians do: @realDonaldTrump is taking $2.5 million away from our National Park Service to glorify himself with a spectacle of military tanks rolling through Washington.”

At one point during his address, the president dreamily referenced his proposals to create a fifth branch of the U.S. military, the Space Force, and championed plans to see America return to the surface of the moon.

“We’re going to be back on the moon very soon,” Trump said, before continuing: “And someday soon we will plant the American flag on Mars. It’s happening, team, it’s happening.”

The day was not without controversy. Protesters who burned an American flag clashed with supporters of the president outside the White House shortly before Trump began speaking. The infamous Trump baby blimp was also seen in Washington, D.C., on hand as organizers condemned what they called Trump’s “military spectacle.”

Trump ended the evening with a flyover by the Blue Angles and a call for unity as a military band played the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

“We will never forget that we are Americans, and the future belongs to us,” the president said. “We are one people, chasing one dream and one magnificent destiny. We all share the same heroes, the same home the same heart and we are all made by the same almighty God.”

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