I think shows specifically to glorify the leader are different. I think that if the air shows had massive pictures of the President, the tone would be different. The 3rd world military parades are a not-so-subtle way of saying "This guy is in charge of this military and don't you forget it", as much of a brag as a threat.
No President with an actual military career has ever asked for such a parade in their honor. I know if Bill Clinton had asked for one people would have flipped their shit over his draft dodging, and there would be a lot of groans about Bush Jr. asking for something like this because his military experience was weak. I know DAMN well if Obama had asked for something like this, Fox News would have run with a Hitler analogy piece.

a gross waste of tax payer money, money that could be used to better the lives of those who serve