New York City's annual Veterans Day Parade marched through Manhattan on Tuesday to kick off the celebration of America's 250th anniversary. 

Organizers with the United War Veterans Council say the 2025 holiday parade in NYC was honoring the U.S. military's three service branches: the Army, Navy and Marine Corps. 

Some 20,000 people marched.

250th anniversary of America's military

The parade commemorated the beginning of the Revolutionary War and the birth of America's military, according to organizers.

"It makes us feel like we have something in common. We celebrate that, and it's a great day," Marine Corps veteran Robert Hanley said.

"We're all supporting each other. We're all brothers and sisters in arms, so it's an amazing feeling," Marine Corps veteran Mikey Johnson said.

"I marched in this parade back in the '50s, and I've always come here every time I've been in New York," Marine Corps veteran Caesar Lugo said.  

The grand marshals this year were former Staff Sergeant and Medal of Honor recipient Clinton Romesha, Marine Corps veteran and homeless veterans' advocate Stephen Peck, and NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Navy Capt. Sunita "Suni" Williams.

Mayor Eric Adams led the way.

"I've got about 40-something days and every day is going to be about how do we continue the prosperity of this city," he said.  

More than 280 marching units, 150 vehicles and 25 floats representing each military branch and every era since World War II were featured. 

There was a wreath-laying ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Eternal Light flagstaff at Madison Square Park to honor the veterans lost.

Walter Rybarczik, a 104-year-old veteran, and his grandson were in attendance.

"I'm proud. I'm proud to be a veteran. I'm glad of what I did, and I'm happy being here," Rybarczik said.

"It's such an important day to recognize all that served," grandson Matt Truppo said.

Also Tuesday, a Veterans Day honor ruck marched through Manhattan, bringing added awareness to the ultimate sacrifice ahead of the parade.

"Right now I'm here with just four of these guys, all my peers. They're here for me as well, so that's what it means, a lot," veteran Bill McKay said.

The parade is held every year on Nov. 11.

The first one was in 1919, one year after the armistice signing that ended fighting during World War I "on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month in 1918," according to the United War Veterans Council. 

Zohran Mamdani speaks with veterans in the Bronx

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani observed Veterans Day in the Bronx, stopping by a Volunteers of America veterans' residence in Parkchester to help serve food and speak with vets.

The mayor-elect said there are more than 200,000 active or retired military members in New York. He recognized the struggles they face here in the city and how he plans to fix it.

"For all the improvements we've seen over the last few years, we also see the number of homeless veterans start to tick up," he said. "And that is something that we have to take on. That is something we have to confront, something we have to deliver on."

Volunteers of America provides veterans with services like housing, benefit claims assistance, and educational assistance.

NYC Veterans Day Parade route and start time

The parade in Midtown Manhattan started at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday after an 11 a.m. wreath-laying ceremony at the Eternal Light Flagstaff in Madison Square Park. 

The route was along Fifth Avenue between 26th Street and 50th Street, organizers said. Participants in the parade were told to assemble to the west and northwest of Madison Square Park, near 23rd Street and Fifth Avenue. 

The parade lasted about three hours.

Manhattan street closures

There were street closures along the Veterans Day Parade route in Midtown, at NYPD's discretion, according to the City Department of Transportation. 

Parade Formation:

• Broadway between West 23rd Street and West 29th Street
• Broadway between 5th Avenue and East 23rd Street
• 5th Avenue between West 23rd Street and West 26th Street
• West 24th Street between 5th Avenue and 7th Avenue
• West 25th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• East/West 26th Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue
• East/West 27th Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue
• East/West 28th Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue

Parade Route:

• 5th Avenue between 25th Street and 48th Street

Parade Dispersal:

• East/West 45th Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue

Miscellaneous:

• 29th Street – 26th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
• Madison Avenue between 45th Street and 48th Street
• 6th Avenue between West 23rd Street and West 27th Street

• Broadway between Liberty Street and Battery Place

Broadway between Liberty Street and Battery Place will close for the Veterans Day Festival. 

NJ Transit perk for military personnel

In addition, all active and retired military personnel with a valid ID can ride NJ Transit for free Tuesday. The complimentary rides are for rail, bus, and light rails. All that's required is showing valid military ID. Throughout the rest of the year, military personnel and their dependents may use a one-way reduced ticket option when they present their valid military ID or dependent cards.