An earlier than usual start to the honorable Veterans Day Parade was met with chilly temperatures but that didn’t curb any of the enthusiasm to salute the vets that sacrificed their time and energy for this country. Originally known as Armistice Day, which recognized World Peace at the end of WWI in 1919, the Veterans Day Parade has evolved into a show of strength and unity as all the Armed Forces sent their Honorary Guards to pay their respects to the vets all across the city and nation as the parade was televised nationally on WABC and Military.com. As usual with this parade, mounted police let the revelers lined up on the parade route on 5th Avenue know the parade was about to kick off. The first of over 100 marching groups were the Ground Zero Flag marchers carrying one of the largest American flags of any parade this year. A New York present to the vets included a rounding bagpipe salute from Emerald Society FDNY Pipes and Drum Band. This got the crowd worked up for a great parade day.
In this parade, all of the Armed Forces send their honorary marching band units with some of the best military uniforms and best marching tunes. This year the Army was recognized as the lead marching unit and they certainly did not disappoint. The Army marching band had one of the best uniforms and made quite an impression for what was in store for the rest of the grand event. Of course when the Marine Corp. band arrived, they took no prisoners. Their small band played with splendid precision as they played their theme song. Various military support groups like Operation Mend and The Wounded Warrior Project sent their reps. It was a good thing there was a separation of time and space between Army and Navy. We’ve seen how things can get at one of their football games. While the Navy band was passing by the famous Patience and Fortitude lion statues by the landmark New York Public Library on 42nd Street, a moment of silence was observed at 11am. After that, the music kept on going with some patriotic tunes that the Navy band played beautifully. The Air Force and its sub-branch, Space Force, arrived as part of the Joint Base, Maguire Dix and Lakehurst. This is the only Tri Service Installation in the country. The Coast Guard brought up the rear of the Armed Services. They were loud and proud.
The Veterans Day Parade has garnered international acclaim as well. Our most trusted allies, England and France have always sent their representatives to march. This year, France sent a special gift to the parade in the form of the Two Flags from the Association “The French Will Never Forget”. The two gigantic American and French flags have been displayed on the sands of Omaha Beach, the famous landing site of the American military advance into France to turn World War II into the Allies favor. The flags also made their way to the Statue of Liberty on the 70th anniversary of D-Day. This year, NATO sent a group carrying flags of each NATO nation as a show of unity especially with the current wars being played out in Ukraine and Gaza.
A parade just isn’t a parade without some marching bands. This was a chance to showcase some top talented bands from across the country. Some of the more exceptional ones came from Hinsdale High School Marching band from Illinois, the Ankeny Centennial Band from Iowa, and the huge dual Pickerington High School Marching Bands from Ohio with over 300 musicians. They were quite impressive. Veterans from all the major Wars were honored on the floats the were carried on. The crowd was treated to the only marching WWII surviving Army vet when 102 year old Walter Rybarzcik waved to the crowd from his escort car. Korean vets and Vietnam vets all marched with pride. Many thanks were given from the crowd to the vets. It truly was a patriotic day and I couldn’t help walk away proud to be an American.
NYC Parade Life 
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