New York City’s famed Veterans Day parade will get underway on Wednesday and a former Nasa astronaut will serve as grand marshal.
Manhattan’s parade, which takes place on Fifth Avenue from East 26th to East 48th, is the nation’s largest commemoration of veteran service.
This year is extra special as the parade celebrates the 250th anniversary of the nation, 25 years since 9/11, 35 years since Operation Desert Storm and 85 years since the Pearl Harbor attack.
The parade will be led by former astronaut and Navy veteran Sunita “Suni” Williams and Vicki Bello, a Navy veteran and manager of community and veterans programs for the Theatre Development Fund.
The parade begins at 12:30 p.m. at E 26th after a wreath laying ceremony and Salute to Service.