USS New York crew among those counting down to NYC Veterans Day Parade
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- The countdown is on for the largest Veterans Day parade in the nation.
Twenty thousand veterans and active service men and women will be marching in the 104th annual parade.
The parade steps off at Madison Square Park and marches up 5th Avenue to 48th Street.
The annual event kicks off earlier than previous years, at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. It's expected to last until around 12:30 p.m.
WABC-TV will provide live coverage of the parade with David Novarro and CeFaan Kim from Eyewitness News and Stephanie Ramos from ABC News beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday on Channel 7 and wherever you stream ABC 7 New York.
Security will be tight for this year's parade.
So far, the NYPD says there are no credible threats in New York City.
Authorities will nevertheless be on high alert, especially because of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Among the marchers will be the crew of USS New York, which is docked at Pier 88 in the shadow of the World Trade Center site.
The ship is named to honor the lives of those lost in New York City on 9/11.
As the vessel arrived at the pier, members of FNDY brought a banner that read, "We will never forget."
It was made by members of Engine 36 immediately after the September 11th attacks.
For the sailors and marines aboard USS New York, it's a deployment like no other.
"I don't think anything will top this, to be honest," said US Navy Ensign Glenn Field.
Ensign Field was raised in Northport, Long Island and was inspired to enlist after September 11th.
"It's interesting to look back on that day and how much it's impacted all of our lives," he told Eyewitness News.
USS New York is nearly 700 feet long, and everywhere you turn, there's a reminder of 9/11.
There's a shrine to the victims, with photos, a bronze wall engraved with their names and a memorial to the firefighters who died that day.
There is even a commemorative subway stop with a wooden bench. The words "Never Forget" can be found around every corner of the ship.
New York's bow was forged from seven and a half tons of steel that was salvaged from the ruins of the World Trade Center.
"You cannot miss 9/11 when you're on the ship at all," said Field.
Mayor Adams toured the ship to greet the crew and to see the onboard tributes for himself.
US Marines Corporal Myles Jenkins grew-up just a few blocks away in Chelsea and serves aboard New York.
"How far can you walk in this ship before you see something that reminds you of 911?" Jenkins was asked.
"Not that far, sir. Not that far. Every time I see it, I just, I get chills down my spine, sir."
Corporal Jenkins was just six months old on 9/11.
USS New York will be open to the public on Sunday, with guided tours from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pier 88.
WATCH | How cold and snowy will it be this winter? Get the NYC-area long-range forecast | Weather or Not
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
