With music, solemnity and civic spirit, about 300 marching units, 30 floats, and 25,000 attendees returned to Madison Square Park to commemorate the 100-second annual Veterans Day Parade.
“We cannot forget the men and women who gave their lives in the service of this country, of the Navy, the Navy, the Air Force,” said a veteran.
The event marked the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks and 30 years since Operation Desert Storm in Iraq.
Parade.
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In addition to remembering those killed in combat, among active and retired members, more and more Latinos are joining the military in all its divisions.
“I am very proud to be the first Puerto Rican and the second to be a member of the Armed Forces of the United States of America. We are only 10% of the people who serve in the army,” said Adoración Santiago, a member of the Naval Force.
The parade started on 25th Street going north along Fifth Avenue until reaching 40th Street.
Despite the massive street closures, nothing stopped Jennifer from getting to see and celebrate those who have inspired what she hopes to be a brilliant career in service to the country.
“I am very proud and I have a lot of admiration for the people who are here at the moment. Also, I hope to be able to join the Army next year and that is why it gives me a lot of emotion to be present,” said Jennifer Donaldson, aspiring to be part of the Armed Forces.
Donaldson.
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This year’s parade also marks the first time that all troops who served the country in Afghanistan are back home.
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