Veterans Day Events In New York City For Staten Islanders: Fifth Avenue Parade On Monday, Assembly At Sacred Heart School Wednesday: UPDATED

Veterans Day Events In New York City For Staten Islanders: Fifth Avenue Parade On Monday, Assembly At Sacred Heart School

For Staten Islanders looking to celebrate our veterans, there are several events going on this week.  On Monday, the 105th annual New York City Veterans Day Parade marches up Fifth Avenue. On Wednesday the 13th, there is an assembly at Sacred Heart School.  All are welcome to honor our veterans at this event.

Staten Islander News also recently covered the Veterans Round Table hosted by Senator Gillibrand and State Senator Scarcella-Spanton. Senator Lanza also hosted the Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony earlier this year. 

Following is the United War Veterans Council announcement:

105^TH Annual New York City Veterans Day Parade Will March Up Fifth Avenue on November 11

Honor Ruck, 9/11 Memorial and Museum’s Salute to Service, and Wreath-Laying Ceremony Honoring Service Members Will Precede Nation’s Largest Veterans Day Celebration

NEW YORK, NY – On Monday, November 11, beginning at 12:30 PM, the 105^th annual New York City Veterans Day Parade – the nation’s largest commemoration of service – will march up Fifth Avenue from East 25^th to East 45^th Streets in honor of our nation’s veterans. The parade, which is produced each year by the United War Veterans Council (UWVC), is expected to feature nearly 300 marching and vehicle units and welcome 20,000 participants from across America, representing every service branch of the military and every era. Thousands of veterans, military members, service organizations, and youth cadets will participate, with marching bands, floats, motorcycles and vintage vehicles adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

Ahead of this year’s parade, the UWVC and partners will also host a series of ramp-up events. On Sunday, November 10, veterans and active military will participate in an Honor Ruck (fitness march) from the Eternal Light Flagstaff at Madison Square Park to the World Trade Center Reflecting Pools. The ruck will end with a speaking program, featuring 9/11 Memorial & Museum’s President & CEO and United States Air Force Veteran Elizabeth L. Hillman, alongside the United States Marine Corps, as part of the Museum’s annual Salute to Service, a tribute which honors those who served in the military, as well as the families and communities that support them.

On Monday, November 11, immediately before the Parade, the annual Wreath-Laying Ceremony will take place, with wreaths presented by veteran representatives, public officials, foreign allies, and senior military leaders.

105th Annual Veterans Day Parade on Fifth Avenue. Image Credit – United War Veterans Council

105th Annual Veterans Day Parade on Fifth Avenue. Image Credit – United War Veterans Council

105th Annual Veterans Day Parade on Fifth Avenue. Image Credit – United War Veterans Council

105th Annual Veterans Day Parade on Fifth Avenue. Image Credit – United War Veterans Council

105th Annual Veterans Day Parade on Fifth Avenue. Image Credit – United War Veterans Council

105th Annual Veterans Day Parade on Fifth Avenue. Image Credit – United War Veterans Council

105th Annual Veterans Day Parade on Fifth Avenue. Image Credit – United War Veterans Council

105th Annual Veterans Day Parade on Fifth Avenue. Image Credit – United War Veterans Council

105th Annual Veterans Day Parade on Fifth Avenue. Image Credit – United War Veterans Council

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105th Annual Veterans Day Parade on Fifth Avenue. Image Credit – United War Veterans Council

105th Annual Veterans Day Parade on Fifth Avenue. Image Credit – United War Veterans Council

105th Annual Veterans Day Parade on Fifth Avenue. Image Credit – United War Veterans Council

105th Annual Veterans Day Parade on Fifth Avenue. Image Credit – United War Veterans Council

In attendance:

• Grand Marshal Dakota Meyer
• Honorary Marshals Mercedes Elias and John Escalante
• United War Veterans Council President & Executive Director Mark Otto
• Veterans and currently serving military personnel

The following events are planned for this two day event:

Honor Ruck & Salute to Service

Sunday, November 10

9/11 Memorial, 180 Greenwich St

3:00PM

Wreath-Laying Ceremony

Monday, November 11

Madison Square Park (Fifth Avenue between East 23^rd and 24^th Streets)

10:55 AM to 11:45 AM

Parade

Monday, November 11

From Fifth Avenue at East 25^th Street to 45th Street

New York, NY

12:30 PM to 3:30 PM

About Grand Marshal Dakota Meyer

Dakota Meyer is a distinguished United States Marine, recognized for his valor in the War in Afghanistan. His exceptional courage during the Battle of Ganjgal on September 8, 2009, in Kunar Province led to him being awarded the prestigious Medal of Honor. Remarkably, Meyer is the second-youngest living recipient of the Medal of Honor, the third living recipient from either the Iraq War or the War in Afghanistan, and notably, the first living United States Marine in 38 years to receive this esteemed honor.

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Dakota Meyer has been decorated with the Purple Heart Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat “V” device for valor, and two Combat Action Ribbons.

Since leaving active duty, Dakota has embraced diverse roles in society. He has continued his service by becoming a firefighter and EMT, the entrepreneur behind Own the Dash and Dash Hydrate, a highly sought after keynote speaker, and the author of two New York Times bestselling books. Perhaps most importantly, Dakota is the father of two beautiful daughters.

About Honorary Grand Marshal Mercedes Elias

Mercedes Elias served on active duty for nine years, rising to the rank of Captain.  Her service included postings around the U.S. and overseas, deploying to Afghanistan from 2011 to 2012.  Upon leaving the Marine Corps, she built a career as a business leader and veteran advocate, having served as the first woman veteran CEO of a broker-dealer on Wall Street. She is currently the Chair of the New York City Veterans Advisory Board.

About Honorary Grand Marshal John Escalante

John Escalante served over 30 years as an enlisted Marine, with multiple deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He was a longtime fixture in the New York City veteran/military community even before his retirement as a Master Gunnery Sergeant in 2023.   Today, John continues his work and advocacy on behalf of veterans and service members with the United War Veterans Council, Travis Manion Foundation, Team Red White and Blue, and other organizations.

About the United War Veterans Council

The United War Veterans Council, Inc. is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that honors and serves veterans. The UWVC supports and promotes a wide range of initiatives that provide vital services to our veterans community (including health, wellness and education); raises positive awareness and increases public understanding of the needs of our veterans community through major public events and promotional activities; and brings together veterans groups, community organizations, government agencies, businesses of all sizes and the general public. For more information, visit uwvc.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Below is the announcement about the Sacred Heart School’s assembly to honor veterans:

Veterans Day Assembly
Sacred Heart School, Staten Island

Veterans Day Assembly, Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 12:30 P.M. at Sacred Heart School, 301 North Burgher Avenue, Staten Island, New York 10310

This year’s guest speaker will be Mr. Saun Roberts EA, SFP, a retired Marine Corp Corporal, and Retired NYPD Deputy Inspector who will give an engaging presentation to the students, and faculty.  Invited guests will include members of the Regional office of the Archdiocese of NY, and community members.

Mr. Roberts spent 4 years active duty in the Marine Corps, 1 year in the Marine Corps reserves and 1 year in the National Guard. He graduated from recruit training from Parris Island, S.C. in 1985 and Non-commissioned officer school in Okinawa Japan in 1988. He retired with the rank of Corporal (Cpl)

While serving in the Marines, he was stationed in North Carolina, Japan and the Philippines and Korea. While in the Marines his job titles included Disbursing Clerk, Prisoner Escort, Physical Training Instructor, Communications Specialist and Tank driver and Gunner.

After active-duty Mr. Roberts joined the NYPD and retired 20 years later after serving in various commands and all 5 boroughs.  He retired from the NYPD as a Deputy Inspector.

Mr. Roberts now owns a financial services business in Staten Island where he specializes in working with veterans, military personnel and first responders.

Profile page about Mr. Robers from the company website:

https://www.srawealthadvisors.com/p/meet-the-founder

Sacred Heart School is located in the heart of West Brighton section of Staten Island and offers Free PreK 3 and UPK4 with tuition based Kindergarten through 8^th grade.  2025 will be the 150^thanniversary of the parish of Sacred Heart.

Please note: This event is by invitation only. 

Banner Image: Salute To Service at 9/11 Memorial Museum. Image Credit – 9/11 Memorial Museum

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