2018 NYC Veterans Day Parade

World War II veterans ride on a float during the 2018 Veterans Day Parade in New York City, Nov. 11, 2018.

Marines and sailors march past the New York Public Library during the 2018 Veterans Day Parade in New York City, Nov. 11, 2018.

It’s said to be the largest Veterans Day Parade in the world. The New York City Veterans Day Parade is also the oldest, dating back to 1919.

Parade Sights

Who Is a Veteran?

Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations defines a veteran as: “a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.”

Veterans Through the Years

2018 At a Glance

Grand Marshal: Medal of Honor RecipientArmy Capt. Florent Groberg

Featured Branch: Army

Participants: 25,000+

Marching Elements: 300+

Floats & Vehicles: 180+

The Parade will start at 5th & 26th and proceed north to 5th and 46.

Parade Route

The parade goes north on Fifth Avenue, from 26th to 46th Street. The route is 1.2 miles, and takes approximately 30 ~ 35 minutes.

Preparing to March

Members of the Army Reserve’s 80th Training Command color guard are among the participants in the 2018 parade. During World War I and World War II, the unit was designated the 80th Infantry Division.

Army Staff Sgt.Son-Joi Brantley

Human Resources Specialist

“I'm so excited that I actually got selected to be part of the color guard. My family is here watching the parade, so that makes it even more exciting.”

Army Staff Sgt.Nicholas Orlick

Software Analyst

“I love the fact that my family has made incredible contributions to our nation's military. I think about how I'm part of an organization that was so big during World War I.”

Army Sgt. 1^st ClassSean Caldwell

Information Systems Technician

“I remember Grandpa Caldwell telling me stories of his service during the Vietnam War. Marching in this parade is an amazing opportunity for me, and I feel that I'm representing my grandfather here.”

80ID in WWI & II

Parades Through the Years

Army Gen. John J. Pershing salutes while parading on horseback on a city street filled with onlookers.

Pershing on Parade - Army Gen. John J. Pershing leads World War I veterans on parade in New York City, Sept. 10, 1919. "America's Parade" traces its roots to this procession.

Horse-drawn carriages parade down a New York City street.

City Celebration - The parade celebrated the homecoming of Pershing and 25,000 World War I troops.

Troops on horseback parade down a street.

Capital Cavalcade - The storied general led a similar parade in Washington, D.C., a week later, on Sept. 17, 1919.

Marching in Lancaster - Other cities followed in New York's footsteps. Participants march in an Armistice Day parade in Lancaster, Pa., 1942.

A formation of troops, shown from overhead, march in a parade.

Jacksonville Procession - Navy ROTC midshipmen march in the annual Veterans Day parade in Jacksonville, Fla., Nov. 11, 1995.

Onlookers wave flags and cheer on a city street.

Welcome Home - New York has thrown parades for vets and service members at other times, too — like June 10, 1991, when it welcomed those returning from operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Marines march in formation in New York City.

Flatiron Formation - But the Veterans Day procession has long been the main event for New York when it comes to celebrating those who've served. In 2009, the parade marked its 90th anniversary.

Smiling spectators hold up letter signs spelling out "THANK YOU" along a parade route.

Onlooker Appreciation - On Veterans Day 2011 (11-11-11), an estimated 600,000 people lined 5th Avenue as the parade commemorated the 10th anniversary of 9/11, the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor and a century of naval aviation.