More than 200,000 participants, 150 vehicles and over two dozen floats came together to honor Veterans Day in New York City Tuesday at the city’s annual parade. Organizers say it’s the nation’s largest celebration of military service.
“To remind people that some gave little, some gave much, some gave all — but nobody has the right to give nothing,” Lewis Taishoff, and Army veteran, said.
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More than 200,000 participants, 150 vehicles and over two dozen floats came together to honor Veterans Day in New York City Tuesday at the city’s annual parade. Organizers say it’s the nation’s largest celebration of military service
Organizers say it’s the nation’s largest celebration of military service
Starting at East 25th Street, the city’s 106th annual Veterans Day Parade made its way up Fifth Avenue, eventually ending at East 45th Street. Every branch of the military was represented
The celebration featured veterans from every generation of service since World War II, with three grand marshals representing the Army, the Navy and the Marines
Starting at East 25th Street, the city’s 106th annual Veterans Day Parade made its way up Fifth Avenue, eventually ending at East 45th Street. Every branch of the military was represented.
“My favorite part of being a service member is the people that I get to meet, stories that I get to hear of people that did this before us, and ushering in the newer generation of soldiers, sailors that are going to come after us,” Johnny Vargas, who served in the Army Reserve, said.
The celebration featured veterans from every generation of service since World War II, with three grand marshals representing the Army, the Navy and the Marines.
History enthusiasts also made sure World War I veterans were represented. Kevin Fitzpatrick, with East Coast Doe Boys, WWI Living Historians, was marching alongside several other men in WW1 uniforms.
“Everything here is wool and canvas and handmade. It’s not like the modern uniform. Brass buttons. Steel hats,” Fitzpatrick said.
The parade also marks 250 years of military service by millions of service members — past, present and fallen.
The festivities kicked off with a group “ruck march,” a form of military fitness training, and also included a wreath-laying ceremony in Madison Square Park to honor fallen service members.
“To stand with the families of the fallen and the missing, to strengthen our allies and to match our thanks with deeds,” James Hendon, commissioner of the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services, said at the event.
For some, serving their country doesn’t stop with the nation’s military.
“When I was in the Marine Corps, I realized that I loved helping people. I love this country, and I love serving it, and I wanted to continue that. So as soon as I got off active duty, I started taking police tests, and here we are today,” Julian Ponce, who served in the Marine Corps Reserve and is now with the New York State Police, said.