New York City Parade Honors Military Veterans

By Sitara Nieves
November 12, 2007
Newsday.com

Thousands of veterans lined up in Madison Square Park in Manhattan yesterday morning, where they launched Veterans Day ceremonies with a somber wreath-laying ceremony, the playing of "Taps" and a 21-rifle salute.

Then, in a nearly nine-decade tradition, they marched up Fifth Avenue in the annual Veterans Day Parade sponsored by the United War Veterans of New York County.

Organizers estimated that more than 20,000 people took part in the 88th annual parade. There were veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and the continuing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. While the holiday was observed yesterday, the national holiday is officially recognized today.

Many of the veterans showed an obvious camaraderie.

But they also expressed anger over what they said is a lack of support for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Herold Noel, 28, of the Bronx, said he felt abandoned after returning from Iraq in December 2003.

"This is the only day I feel that they appreciate vets in New York," said Noel, adding that he was homeless for several months after returning to New York. "You have a lot of vets sleeping on the streets. A lot of vets commit suicide, because what they fought for, they don't come home to."

The National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates that there are 21,147 homeless veterans in New York.

Paul Rieckhoff, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan and founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, said returning veterans face new issues, including traumatic brain injuries.

Rieckhoff said he believed the government wasn't responding faster because Americans are buffered from the conflicts. "Most folks aren't really connected to this war on a personal level," he said.

Many at the parade, however, said they hoped people could be unified in supporting the troops.

Mariza Walters and her 13-year-old son Adrian have watched the parade from the same block on East 48th Street and Fifth Avenue for the past eight years.

"There's a saying that if you love your freedom, thank a vet," said Walters, 31, of Woodhaven. "That's why we're here."