Veterans Day 2023: New York City parade honors those who served
NEW YORK (WABC) -- New York City and ABC 7 honored the men and women who served with strength and courage on Veterans Day, Saturday November 11, 2023.
The parade in its 104th year is the largest Veterans Day commemoration in the nation. Nearly 300 elements consisting of 20,000 marchers and 150+ vehicles proceeded up New York City's Fifth Avenue in Manhattan to celebrate.
Active-duty soldiers and sailors, servicemen and women from every branch of the armed forces, and veterans of every war since World War II participated in the parade, stepping off at 26th Street and Fifth Avenue and traveling north on Fifth Avenue.
Spectators watched the parade along Fifth Avenue from 27th Street to its endpoint at 47th Street.
"I'm glad there are people out there from different generations saying thank you," Army Veteran Peter Schaffer said.
Schaffer served during the Vietnam War. He says seeing families and other veterans at the nation's largest Veterans Day parade is an unforgettable experience.
"This country owes you a debt of gratitude, We must always stand with you side by side," said Mayor Eric Adams.
WABC-TV provided live coverage of the parade with David Novarro and CeFaan Kim from Eyewitness News and Stephanie Ramos from ABC News.
This year's Grand Marshal was Lieutenant General (Retired) Mike Linnington, CEO of Wounded Warrior Project. Mike led troops into battle in Iraq and Afghanistan and has dedicated his life to serving those who have served.
The parade was first organized to honor veterans of World War I, known as the war to end all wars. Now, it honors the veterans of all the wars that followed, some 17 million, nationwide.
This year's featured Service Branch is the United States Army.
Commemorative dates that were acknowledged in the Parade included:
70th Anniversary of the end of the Korean War
50th Anniversary of the withdrawal of combat units from Vietnam
40th Anniversary of the Beirut Barracks Bombing in Lebanon and the Grenada Invasion
30th Anniversary of the Battle of Mogadishu (Somalia)
You can find more information on the New York City Veterans Day Parade website.
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