AMERICA’S PARADE: HONOR AND REMEMBER
T
he United War
Veterans Council
proudly presents
America’s
Parade, on Veterans
Day in New York
City. For over
nine decades, New York
has led the nation in observing Veterans Day, first
observed in 1919 to commemorate the Armistice
that ended World War I
one year earlier (11:00 AM,
November 11, 1918).
America’s Parade continues the traditions of the
New York City Veterans
Day Parade, the largest celebration of service in the
nation. The Parade attracts
twenty thousand participants from over 30 states
and over half of a million
live spectators. This year’s
event will be broadcast
PIX11 will provide full
coverage of the parade
from 12-3pm, on-site from
Fifth Avenue. PIX11 will
air a 60-minute parade
recap special on Sunday,
November 15. In addition,
the live TV broadcast will
be streamed on the internet
at Military.com, reaching a
global audience.
As always, the Parade
will also offer the public
the opportunity to salute
our currently serving military members of all service
branches, many of whom
are themselves veterans of
Iraq, Afghanistan and other deployments around the
world. This year, we salute
the United States Navy as
our featured service, and
welcome to town the USS
New York and its crew and
Marine complement.
The parade features over
20,000 participants, including veterans of all eras, active duty military, ROTC
and JROTC units, civic
and youth groups, all accompanied by our nation’s
best high school marching
bands. Floats, military and
vintage vehicles and other
special contingents add to
the spectacle and excite-
ment of the parade, which
will be viewed live by over
half a million spectators.
The Grand Marshal for
this year’s event is Robert Morgenthau, longtime
Manhattan District Attorney and U.S. Navy veteran
of World War II. Representing the U.S. Navy as
Honorary Grand Marshals
are Secretary of the Navy
Ray Mabus and Master
Chief Petty Officer of the
Navy (MCPON) Mike
Stevens. In addition, our
Honorary Marshals are
legendary TV producer
Norman Lear (U.S. Army
Air Corps veteran of World
War II) and Lieutenant
General Richard Mills (Retired), former Commander
of Marine Force reserve.
The day starts with our
traditional Opening Ceremony at the Eternal Light
Monument in Madison
Square Park. This ceremony of remembrance
features remarks by the
Mayor, elected officials,
ranking military officers,
veterans group officials,
special guests and key
sponsors, as well as music
by the West Point Band.
The ceremony culminates
in a wreath laying, 21-rifle
salute and “Taps.”
At approximately 11:15
AM, the parade begins,
proceeding up Fifth Avenue from 26th Street to
52nd street. The route passes such famous landmarks
as the Empire State Building, the New York Public
Library, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Rockefeller Plaza.
At the end of the Parade
route (53rd Street between
Madison & 6th Avenues) a
NYC street fair will featuring a special Veterans Village section.
On behalf of New York
City’s veterans, we welcome you to America’s
Parade, and invite you to
stand with us as we honor
our veterans!
PASSING THE TORCH: A New Generation of Leaders at UWVC
A
s the United War
Veterans Council
(producers
of
America’s
Parade) begins
preparations for
the 100th anniversary of Veterans Day
in 2019, the organization
has begun an intergenerational transition, from its
Vietnam-era leadership to
Post-9/11 veterans.
“Though it originated in
the 1800s, the UWVC we
know today was re-activat-
ed by a committed group of
Vietnam Veterans in 1985,”
said Vince McGowan,
founding president of the
organization.
“It’s now
time to turn the reins over
to a new generation of advocates”
Stepping in as incoming
President is Dan McSweeney, a New York City native, U.S. Marine Corps
veteran (Iraq) and longtime UWVC Advisory
Council member. Formerly managing director of
the SS United States Conservancy’s Redevelopment
Project, McSweeney leads
an infusion of youth into
the UWVC’s leadership,
which has also expanded
its board to include several
other veterans of Iraq and
Afghanistan.
“It’s a distinct honor to
be working with UWVC, a
leading voice for veterans
in New York and increasingly, across the country,”
said McSweeney.
“The
potential to develop and
Incoming UWVC President
Dan McSweeney and Founding
President Vince McGowan
advance programs that can
provide positive impacts
to vets and their families
is vast and I’m committed
to helping this storied organization reach greater
heights in the future.”
NOVEMBER 11, 2015
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