New York celebrates Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue today

New York City is celebrating Veterans Day this Wednesday, November 11, with the 107th edition of its traditional Fifth Avenue parade, the largest in the country honoring those who served in the Armed Forces.

The parade stepped off at 12:30 p.m. on Fifth Avenue at 26th Street and heads north to 48th Street, expected to last until about 3:30 p.m. More than 20,000 people, over 280 marching units, 25 floats and more than 150 vehicles are taking part, according to the United War Veterans Council, the event's organizer.

This year's grand marshal is retired Navy captain and NASA astronaut Sunita "Suni" Williams. Before the parade, at 10:55 a.m., a wreath-laying ceremony was held at Madison Square Park. The parade is broadcast live on WABC-TV, Channel 7.

The day also marks two anniversaries: the nation's 250th birthday and 25 years since the September 11, 2001 attacks, according to organizers.

For the holiday, public schools, libraries and government offices are closed, there is no trash pickup, and alternate side parking is suspended, although parking meters remain in effect.

Photo: New York News

Source: NorthJersey.com