New York City Veterans Day Parade – 11/11/2008

The New York City Veterans Day Parade!

Tuesday Nov. 11, 2008

This parade is the largest of its kind in the nation, providing an opportunity for New Yorkers and visitors from across our country (and around the world) to honor those who have preserved our freedoms.   The theme for 2008, "Legacy of Honor," pays tribute to veterans of all eras, and also serves to welcome home the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum (a New York City icon and herself a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam).

This year’s 2008 New York City Veterans Day activities will include:

    * Mayor’s Breakfast for Veterans
    * Opening Ceremony
    * New York City Veterans Day Parade
    * Crosstown March – One time only event!
    * Veterans Day Street Fair
    * Commemorative Newspaper – New!
    * Parade Program
    * Thank You For Serving Video

Mayor’s Breakfast for Veterans
8:30 – 9:30 A.M (by invitation only)
New York City’s Veterans Day activities begin with an invitation-only breakfast reception hosted by the Mayor at Gracie Mansion. Through our relationship with the Mayor’s Office, we offer tickets to our partners and their guests.

Opening Ceremony
10:00 – 11:00 A.M.
Eternal Light Monument, Madison Square Park
Fifth Avenue @ 24th Street    > map

The parade is preceded by our traditional Opening Ceremony, at the Eternal Light Monument in Madison Square Park. This ceremony of remembrance and reflection features remarks by the Mayor, other senior elected officials, and special guests, as well as musical tributes and readings. It is open to the public, with preferential seating available for veterans.

The ceremony culminates in a wreath laying, 21-rifle salute and playing of "Taps." This year’s ceremony will include a special moment of remembrance for the 90th anniversary of the end the First World War (Armistice Day, which later became Veterans Day).

Veterans Day Parade
11:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Fifth Avenue, from 26th Street to 56th Street    > map

The New York City Veterans Day Parade features over 20,000 participants, including veterans of all eras, active duty military, ROTC and JrROTC units, civic and youth groups, all accompanied by music performed by a dozen of our nation’s best high school marching bands.

Floats, military and vintage vehicles and other special contingents add to the spectacle and excitement of the parade, which is viewed by over 400,000 spectators. The parade route is approximately 1.5 miles, and takes 30-40 minutes to complete. Participants march or ride in review past our official Reviewing Stand, located at 41st Street in front of the world-famous facade of the New York Public Library. Bleachers are available next to the Reviewing Stand for veterans and their guests who wish to sit and view the parade.

Crosstown March
From Intrepid Sea, Air Space Museum
42nd Street from 12th Avenue to Fifth Avenue    > map

A special contingent will depart the Grand Re-Opening ceremony of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum on the West Side Highway and march along 42nd Street, joining the main parade in progress on 5th Avenue.

More information on this one-time-only event will be available soon; check back here for updates!

Veterans Day Street Fair
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
56th Street between Madison & Sixth Avenues    > map

Following the parade, participants and the general public are invited to a NYC street fair at the end of the parade route. Booth space is available for major sponsors; please contact us for more information or click here.

Commemorative Newspaper
NEW! Before, during and after the parade, we will distribute 50,000 copies of our tabloid-sized commemorative newspaper, featuring educational and historical information about the Parade, Veterans Day, and the service of our veterans, as well as messages and promotional information from our major sponsors, businesses and individuals. Click here to learn more!

Parade Program
This Playbill-sized booklet, featuring major partners and sponsors, will be distributed at the Opening Ceremony and to all special guests and VIPs.

“Thank You For Serving” Video
This special video includes greetings from celebrities, organizations and the general public to our troops serving overseas.

Our crew will be filming these messages on the day of the Parade; participants and partners are invited to provide an on-camera message to our men and women in uniform!

WEB SITE: www.unitedwarveterans.org