Thousands of service members will march in the Veterans Day parade in NYC on Nov. 11, when the New York City Veterans Day Parade steps off at 12:30 p.m. from Fifth Avenue at 26th Street. The route runs north to 50th Street, with a Wreath-Laying Ceremony set for 10:55 a.m. in Madison Square Park before the parade begins.
NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams is this year's grand marshal, and Vicki Bello will serve as honorary marshal. Mark Otto, president and executive director of the United War Veterans Council, said, "We are incredibly proud to welcome Suni as Grand Marshal of this year's NYC Veterans Day Parade on the 250th birthday of the United States of America. Her dedication and service embody the values we honor each Veterans Day," while Bello said, "It is an incredible honor to be named an Honorary Marshal of the New York City Veterans Day Parade, and I look forward to marching alongside the men and women who have served our country as we celebrate their service, sacrifice, and contributions to our communities,"
Fifth Avenue route details
The parade is produced each year by the United War Veterans Council and features participants from every service branch of the military. The lineup includes thousands of veterans, military members, service organizations, youth cadets, marching bands, floats, motorcycles and vintage vehicles, giving the march its scale along Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.
More than 30,000 participants march down Fifth Avenue in New York City every year. That helps explain why the event is described as the biggest Veterans Day event in the United States and as America's largest Veterans Day parade, even as this year's schedule lists Nov. 11 without repeating the year inside the parade details themselves.
Vicki Bello's service record
Bello's role adds a personal thread to the parade's planning. She enlisted in the United States Navy in 1985, completed active duty in 1989, and then continued serving in the Naval Reserve for an additional two years.
Viewers who want to watch can follow the broadcast on Channel 7 or stream ABC 7 New York starting at 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 11. The schedule leaves the strongest attention on the step-off, the 10:55 a.m. ceremony in Madison Square Park, and the northbound march from 26th Street to 50th Street.
