NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — The 105th annual New York City Veterans Day parade kicked off Monday, honoring the sacrifices and service of veterans and remembering those who fought for the United States.
The parade featured 20,000 marchers, 150 military vehicles, and 25 floats traveling along Fifth Avenue from 26th to 47th Streets.
This year’s featured service branch is the Marine Corps, and Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer will serve as the parade’s grand marshal. Meyer was recognized for his heroic actions during the Afghanistan War, and was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama in 2011.
Mayor Eric Adams joined the marchers, stepping off from 26th Street and Fifth Avenue at 12:20 p.m. The parade officially began at 12:30 p.m. with a wreath-laying ceremony at Madison Square Park beforehand.
“Veterans watered the tree of freedom with their blood,” Adams said, adding that the country owes a significant debt of gratitude to its service members.
Adams participated in the parade to honor his uncle, Joe Wilkins, who died in the Vietnam War at just 19 years old. “This country owes a debt of gratitude to its vets,” Adams said.
Navy veteran Charles Kitzinger spoke to 1010 WINS about the challenges many veterans face after their service. “They don’t get enough respect from the government itself—not enough funding for those who have retired or spent their whole life in the service,” he said.
WINS also spoke with Army veteran Robert Leos, who served in Vietnam. “They were shooting missiles and all kinds of stuff into our base, and we couldn’t do anything… We couldn’t save ourselves,” Leos said.
As discussions about the upcoming election dominate the national conversation, attendees at New York City’s Veterans Day Parade wanted to focus on the importance of setting politics aside to honor those who served.
“We do really appreciate the country we live in and the freedom and the sacrifices they made, regardless of what political side you’re on,” said parade-goer Mimsy Leyland.
The Intrepid Museum also hosted its annual Veterans Day ceremony on Monday, paying tribute to the sacrifices and contributions of the nation’s service members.
The ceremony was held at Hangar 3 in Hudson River Park, featuring a wreath-laying tribute in the Hudson River. The tribute honored United States veterans and the crew members of the Intrepid, recognizing their dedication and service.
Many attendees came straight from the Veterans Day parade just a few blocks away.
Road Closures
To accommodate the parade, several streets in Manhattan will be closed:
• Broadway between West 23rd and 29th Streets
• Broadway between Fifth Avenue and East 23rd Street
• Fifth Avenue between West 23rd and 26th Streets
• West 24th Street between Fifth and Seventh Avenues
• West 25th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues
• East/West 26th Street between Madison and Sixth Avenues
• East/West 27th Street between Madison and Sixth Avenues
• East/West 28th Street between Madison and Sixth Avenues
Parade Route:
• Fifth Avenue between 25th and 48th Streets
Dispersal Area:
• East/West 45th Street between Sixth and Madison Avenues
The parade will end at around 3 p.m., rain or shine.
New York City government offices, courts and public schools will be closed for the holiday honoring those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.