President Trump will kick off Army's 250th birthday celebration Tuesday at Fort Bragg
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (WTVD) -- President Donald Trump is set to visit North Carolina this week, marking his second official trip to the state since beginning his second term.
He will travel to Fort Bragg, the nation's largest military installation, to kick off celebrations for the U.S. Army's 250th birthday, the Department of Defense confirmed. While there, all units at the post will conduct a readiness demonstration for Trump.
According to the White House, Trump is scheduled to observe a military demonstration at 2:40 p.m., then deliver remarks at 4 p.m.
Trump's visit is drumming up a lot of excitement. Trump supporters told ABC11 that the president's move to begin the Army's 250th birthday celebrations at Fort Bragg sends a special message to servicemembers.
"I think that they have a level of importance and that he wants to, I guess, thank them for their support and service to the Army," said Peter Pappas, the co-founder of the Republican Candidate Resource Center.
Laura Mussler, also a founder of the Republican Candidate Resource Center, added: "I agree wholeheartedly. North Carolina is important to President Trump, and that's why he's coming here."
Law enforcement agencies in the area, including Fayetteville police, said they are engaged with Fort Bragg and the Secret Service to provide extra security for Trump's visit. Community members also said they are coordinating with one another to help people prepare for the All American Gate's security checkpoint.
Not everyone is excited about Trump's visit -- a protest is planned Saturday at Cross Creek Linear Park. Still, Trump supporters said the president's visit to the home of the Airborne is a historic moment.
"That's what Fort Bragg is known as -- the center of the universe -- and it is," said Bruce Sykes, the chairman of the Cumberland County GOP. "That's how we look at it, so. We're very proud that the president has to pick Fort Bragg for the 250th Anniversary."
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Fort Bragg last month for All American Week. He addressed a massive formation of paratroopers that represented the 17,000 paratroopers in the 82nd Airborne Division.
Hegseth touched on the renaming of the post and announced an increase in jump pay for paratroopers, reaffirming the administration's commitment to our soldiers.
"We're also going to rebuild our military. President Trump is committed to historic investments inside our formations," Hegseth said. "Our promise to you is that when the 82nd Airborne is deployed. If we have to call 911 for America's response force, you will be equipped better than any other fighting force in the world."
Hegseth will also be at Fort Bragg on Tuesday, accompanying Trump as part of the celebrations.
The two leaders will also meet with soldiers and military families, and observe training and activities.
The installation said people don't need real IDs for visitors' badges, but they will need other official forms of identification, such as driver's licenses, passports, and birth certificates. Anyone can learn more about how to get a visitor's pass on the Army website.
The Army's milestone anniversary will be celebrated nationwide with major events planned, including a grand parade on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on June 14, the Army's official birthday, and coincidentally, Trump's birthday as well.
Tanks and aircraft will travel to DC for the parade, along with 6,600 soldiers. Hundreds of them will be coming from Fort Bragg, with officials telling ABC11 that they're excited to be part of the big day.
"So our division, like all the divisions, looks forward to celebrating and playing our role," Commanding General Maj. Gen. James Patrick Work, 82nd Airborne Division, said. "We'll put our paratroopers on display anywhere, and we're going to go big as an Army this year in Washington, D.C. We're going to play our role. We're looking forward to it."
ABC11's Sydnee Scofield contributed to this report.
