The OFFICIAL Announcement – America’s Parade!

We kick off the countdown to the Parade the day after 9/11 at the World Trade Center site

NEW YORK – The United War Veterans Council (UWVC), organizers of the New York>>City's annual Veterans Day>>Parade, announced that this year's event>>would launch 'America's>>Parade,' a national salute to our nation's>>veterans.

The announcement took place at the World Trade Center site, in front>>of the>>America's Response monument (the 'Horse Soldier' statue)>>honoring the Special Forces personnel who led our nation's military>>into Afghanistan after the attacks of September 11, 2001.

The gathering opened with the presentation of colors by the Samaritan Village honor guard, led by Martin Allback, a veteran of OPERATION DAGGER – the “Horse Soldier Operation”. Former Grand Marshal Fang Wong, past National Commander of the American Legion and a New York City native, led the Pledge of Allegiance to open the gathering.

In his welcoming remarks, Pat Gualtieri, Executive Director of the Parade, said, 'On 9/11, New York City was attacked. >>On September 12,>>America>>responded. >>‘America's>>Parade’ will salute the men and women from across the>>country who answered our nation's call on the day after 9/11, and>>throughout our history.'

Vince McGowan, Founding President of the United War Veterans Council shared the story of the Horse Soldier monument, and then reflected on the evolution and future of the Parade. ?Over the past decade, New York City's Veterans Day>>Parade>>has grown>>into a truly national event. >>As 'America's>>Parade', it will not only>>lead the nation in honoring our veterans, >>but will generate interest>>and participation in local Veterans Day activities in communities>>across>>America.'

Following the remarks, a wreath was laid at the base of the monument by U.S. Army Lt. Col Dan Elliot, and UWVC Board Member Jim DeVary, a U.S. Army veteran of Iraq.

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 nearly three quarters of a million live spectators. >>This year's>>event will once again be broadcast on FOX Television's MyNetwork TV,>>reaching millions of viewers in ten of the country's largest broadcast>>markets.

This year's>>Parade>>will spotlight the contributions of Women in>>Service, and is honoring the U.S. Army as its featured service branch.Sponsors include Wounded Warrior Project, HBO, U-Haul and History.>>The>>Parade>>takes place on Veterans Day, Monday, November 11, 2013,>>from 11:15 AM to 3:30 PM, travelling up New York City's iconic Fifth>>Avenue from 26th Street to 52nd Street. >>It will be broadcast on FOX5>>locally and on MyNetworkTV in Baltimore, Washington D.C.,>>Orlando/Daytona Beach, Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Houston,>>Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix and Los Angeles.

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