Turrets are attached to tanks at the Lincoln Memorial as thousands prepare to descend on DC for Trump's military spectacular

  • The president has promised the 'show of a lifetime' to celebrate Fourth of July
  • Calling his event a 'Salute to America' the president is scheduled to speak
  • The Pentagon is also arranging for an Air Force B-2 stealth bomber flyover
  • And soldiers have been seen working on armored tanks at the Lincoln Memorial
  • Washington has held an Independence Day celebration for decades 
  • But military chiefs are rumored to be concerned this one could turn political
Turrets have been attached to the tanks at the Lincoln Memorial ahead of Donald Trump's promised 'show of a lifetime' to celebrate Fourth of July. 
Calling his event a 'Salute to America' honoring the armed forces, the president is scheduled to speak in front of a ticket-only, VIP crowd of Republican donors, administration and campaign officials, family members and supporters.
Under White House direction, the Pentagon was arranging for an Air Force B-2 stealth bomber and other warplanes to conduct flyovers. 
There will be Navy F-35 and F-18 fighter jets, the Navy Blue Angels aerobatics team, Army and Coast Guard helicopters and Marine V-22 Ospreys.  
Two Bradley fighting vehicles were also in place Wednesday at the Lincoln Memorial, where Trump will speak.
In addition, two 60-ton Army Abrams battle tanks were sent to Washington by rail to be positioned on or near the National Mall, to the dismay of District of Columbia officials.
And soldiers have been pictured working on an armored tanks in front of the Lincoln Memorial as other military vehicles have been pictured around the Capitol. 
The presidential Air Force One and Marine One aircraft are also slated to make aerial appearances. 
A US Army soldier works on an armored Bradley Fighting Vehicle on display in front of the Lincoln Memorial for US Independence Day celebrations on the National Mall in Washington
US Army soldiers position a M1 Abrams main battle tank into position. The 'Salute to America' Fourth of July activities include remarks by Trump, a parade, military flyovers and fireworks
US Army soldiers walk by an armored Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Trump has promised the 'show of a lifetime' to celebrate Fourth of July where the president is scheduled to speak
It's been nearly seven decades since a president spoke there on Independence Day. 
The U.S. was at war in Korea when Harry Truman addressed a large gathering on the Washington Monument grounds, marking the 175th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. 
Military chiefs are rumored to be concerned the July Fourth extravaganza could turn out to be an overtly political affair, putting them in violation of Defense Department policy. 
On Tuesday Trump had said 'the Pentagon and our great Military Leaders are thrilled' to participate.
Thursday's celebration has also been shadowed by questions about how much it will cost taxpayers.
But the president has insisted that the event will cost very little given that the military already owns the tanks and planes. 
'We own the planes, we have the pilots, the airport is right next door (Andrews), all we need is the fuel,' he said, referring to Maryland's Joint Base Andrews, home for some of the planes that are to fly over the Mall on Thursday. 'We own the tanks and all. Fireworks are donated by two of the greats.'  
President Donald Trump is promising the “show of a lifetime” for the hundreds of thousands of revelers who flock to the National Mall every year on the Fourth of July
The tanks are in place for the display of military muscle, including this M1 Abrams main battle tank into position at the Lincoln Memorial for US Independence Day celebrations
Under White House direction, the Pentagon was arranging for an Air Force B-2 stealth bomber and other warplanes to conduct flyovers. Soldiers work on an armored Bradley Fighting Vehicle on display in front of the Lincoln Memorial
There will be Navy F-35 and F-18 fighter jets, the Navy Blue Angels aerobatics team, Army and Coast Guard helicopters and Marine V-22 Ospreys
And the president's supporters welcomed Trump's stamp on the holiday.
Rachel McKenna, a Trump supporter from McKinney, Texas, said her relatives have served in the military and she thought it was important to say 'We love you guys, we appreciate everything you do, and I love the fact I can see that,' as she pointed to the Bradley fighting vehicle positioned near the Lincoln Memorial.
'I've never ever seen one,' she said. 'I just think it's so cool.' 
He was savagely mocked on Twitter Thursday morning for tweeting 'Aircraft One' instead of 'Air Force One' while touting the elaborate military parade plans.
The president tweeted that people would come from far and wide for the celebration 'culminating with large scale flyovers of the most modern and advanced aircraft anywhere in the World. Perhaps even Aircraft One will do a low & loud sprint over the crowd'.
The president's aircraft is known as Air Force One when he's on it, not Aircraft One.
Twitter users eviscerated the president for the slip-up, joking that Aircraft One is the unofficial name of Putin's jet.
Trump then deleted his flub tweet and posted a new one, this time calling the aircraft Air Force One.       
Trump's original tweet with his 'Aircraft One' mistake pictured above
After he received a flood of comments calling him out for his blunder, he deleted the flub tweet and tweeted this correction calling it Air Force One
Independence Day revellers pose in front of a Humvee parked on a street in Washington, DC
A giant inflatable blimp depicting Uncle Sam during Independence Day celebrations
Trump originally wanted a parade with military tanks and other machinery rolling through downtown Washington ever since he was enthralled by a two-hour procession of French military tanks and fighter jets in Paris on Bastille Day in July 2017.
Later that year Trump said he'd have a similar parade in Washington on the Fourth of July, 2018, and would 'top' the Paris show. The event ended up being pushed to Veterans Day, which conflicted with one of Trump's trips abroad, before it was scuttled after cost estimates exceeding $90 million were made public.
In February, Trump tweeted for the public to 'HOLD THE DATE!' for this Fourth of July.
Washington has held an Independence Day celebration for decades, featuring a parade along Constitution Avenue, a concert on the Capitol lawn with music by the National Symphony Orchestra and fireworks beginning at dusk near the Washington Monument.
Trump altered the lineup by adding his speech, moving the fireworks closer to the Lincoln Memorial and summoning the tanks and warplanes.  

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