BY: Liliana Rocio, Senior Editor for World Liberty TV, 5^th Ave NYC  Saturday November 11^th 2023 

America’s veterans—representing every branch of service and generation of warriors since WWII—to march up Fifth Avenue for the 104^th annual Veterans Day Parade, Saturday, November 11, 2023, 12:30 to 3:30 pm rain or shine.

Spectators can view the parade, which steps off at 26th street and Fifth Avenue going north to its endpoint on 47th Street, in person or watch the broadcast airing live and streaming online on WABC-TV from 12:30 to 3 pm.

Produced by the United War Veterans Council (UWVC), the Parade is the nation’s largest commemoration of service, with nearly 300 marching and vehicle units, and 20,000 participants from across America, including veterans, military members, service organizations, youth cadets and marching bands.

The parade will be led this year by grand marshal Michael Linnington, an Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran who served in the military for 35 years.

Holding positions including deputy commanding general at Fort Benning, Ga., and commandant of cadets at West Point and in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Retired Army Lt. Gen. Mike Linnington, this year’s grand marshal, is CEO of the Wounded Warrior Project. The organization, founded in 2003 to provide care items to hospitalized service members wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, today focuses on mental health, career counseling, long-term rehabilitative care and advocacy efforts.

Linnington’s ceremonial naming took place on the flight deck of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in Manhattan in March before an audience of veterans from all service eras and branches. Also present were dignitaries including James Hendon, commissioner of the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services.

The UWVC ceremony also marked the 20th anniversary of the start of the Iraq War. At that time, then-Col. Linnington commanded the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), aka the “Screaming Eagles.”

Linnington has held a variety of command and staff positions worldwide and received numerous awards and decorations.

“I am deeply honored to be chosen as this year’s Veterans Day Parade Grand Marshal,” Linnington said in a statement. “The 20th anniversaries of the War in Iraq and the Wounded Warrior Project call attention to the ongoing needs of veterans and their families who face a lifetime of visible and invisible wounds.”

The 2022 grand marshal was Vincent W. Patton, the first Black master chief petty officer of the Coast Guard. He served in the Coast Guard’s highest enlisted position from 1998 to 2002, when he retired after 30 years of active military service.

Every year, New York City’s Veterans Day commemoration honors all eras of service and all service branches.

Ahead of the parade, some of the marchers and community representatives will be conducting a wreath procession to the Eternal Light Memorial in Madison Square Park.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday a new proclamation that November will be Veterans Month in the Empire State going forward.

She also announced new initiatives including a grant program for improving veterans services around the state.

New Yorkers can look out for 16 state landmarks, including One World Trade Center and Niagara Falls, to be lit up with green lights on Friday night as part of Operation Green Light, which recognizes current and past vets and service members, the governor’s office announced.

“Our veterans have given so much to our nation, and it’s our duty to ensure they receive the care and recognition they’ve earned,” Hochul said in a statement Friday.

“These partnerships and programs are a testament to New York’s continued dedication to our heroes who serve both at home and abroad.”

Thousands of people marched in the colorful parade, many veterans in attendance from all over USA, and around the world in attendance and marching in solidarity with each other.

See More in our World Liberty TV, Political Channels by clicking here.