New York will hold its annual Veterans Day Parade on Wednesday, Nov. 11. It is considered the largest event of its kind in the United States. Thousands of veterans, service members and representatives of military organizations will march down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. This year’s ceremony will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks and other important events in the history of the American armed forces.
The parade will begin at 12:30 p.m. at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 26th Street and will then proceed north to 48th Street. Representatives of all branches of the U.S. armed forces, veterans’ organizations, marching bands and commemorative floats will take part. This year, the U.S. Navy will have a special place in the ceremonies. The anniversaries being commemorated also include the 35th anniversary of Operation Desert Storm and the 85th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Sunita “Suni” Williams, a former NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy veteran, has been named grand marshal of this year’s parade. Vicki Bello, also a U.S. Navy veteran, who is currently responsible for community and veterans programs at the Theatre Development Fund, will serve as honorary marshal.
Ceremonies honoring fallen service members are planned before the march begins. At 9 a.m., Williams took part in the Salute to Service event at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Earlier, volunteers placed yellow roses in memory of victims of the Sept. 11 attacks who had served in the U.S. armed forces.
At 10:55 a.m., the annual wreath-laying ceremony will take place in Madison Square Park, near Fifth Avenue. Veterans, government officials, foreign allies and high-ranking military commanders are expected to attend. The wreaths will be laid in honor of fallen service members.
In connection with the observances, New York City’s Department of Transportation has announced numerous street closures in Manhattan. The main route will cover Fifth Avenue between 25th and 48th streets. Restrictions will also apply to sections of Broadway, Sixth Avenue and the streets from 23rd to 29th in the area where parade units will form up. 45th Street between Sixth Avenue and Madison Avenue, where participants will end the march, will also be closed. In addition, because of the Veterans Day Festival, traffic will be halted on Broadway between Liberty Street and Battery Place. Drivers should expect delays in Midtown Manhattan for the duration of the observances.
Editor: JŁ
Source: Nowy Dziennik
