The Veterans Day will march up Fifth Ave. on November 11 (photo courtesy United War Veterans Council)
Fifth Ave. from 26th to 52nd Sts.
Monday, November 11, free, 11:15 am – 3:30 pm
www.americasparade.org
“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.” So declared President Woodrow Wilson in making Armistice Day a federal holiday to be held annually on November 11. On June 4, 1926, Congress followed suit with a resolution that said, in part: “Whereas the 11th of November, 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations. . . .” It is anticipated that the 2013 America’s Parade, also known as the Veterans Day Parade, will attract more than six hundred thousand spectators lining Fifth Ave. as thousands of men and women in uniform march, led by Grand Marshals General Raymond Odierno, Anthony Principi, and Ann E. Dunwoody, along with Medal of Honor recipients Woody Williams, Roger Donlon, Thomas Kelly, and Leroy Petry. For a full list of Veterans Week events, go here.