FOREIGN POLICY/FRANCE/HOLIDAY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Donald Trump reveled in the spectacle of tanks, military aircraft and men and women in uniform marching down the Champs-Élysées at a ceremony that served to mark the end of his visit to America’s oldest ally.
Mr. Trump, who had considered holding a military parade to celebrate his inauguration in January but ultimately opted against it, appeared thrilled by France’s Bastille Day spectacle on Friday [7-14-17].
A procession of tanks rolled along the Champs-Élysées, followed by more than 60 aircraft flying over Paris—some trailing blue, white and red contrails—and hundreds of officers marching in uniform, including nearly 200 U.S. service members.
Mr. Trump and first lady Melania Trump watched the parade at the Place de la Concorde beside French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte. Mr. Macron, who arrived to the parade standing in the front seat of an open, camouflaged military jeep, invited Mr. Trump to Paris to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the U.S. entry into World War I.”
-Rebecca Ballhaus and William Horobin, “Bastille Day Parade in Paris Enthralls President Trump,” The Wall Street Journal online, July 14, 2017 08:51am