For the very first time, NBC 4 New York will televise live coverage of the New York City Veterans Day Parade which airs Thursday, November 11th from 12:00PM - 2:00PM on WNBC/Channel 4. The theme for this year's parade is "Freedom is not Free." The parade is organized by the United War Veteran's Council.
This year marks the 91st anniversary of Veterans Day and the 60th anniversary of the Korean War which will receive special recognition. WNBC/New York Nonstop's "New York Nightly News" anchor Chuck Scarborough will co-host the event with Paul Bucha, a medal of honor recipient.
NBC's
BrIan Williams will conduct special interviews with three
Medal of Honor recipients from several wars. Sideline reporters are WNBC's Michael Gargiulo and Alyse Zwick, a former Miss New York. Over 20,000 participants are expected to attend this year's parade.
The 2010 Veterans Day Grand Marshals include Jerry Coleman, a Marine Corps Veteran as well as a former NY Yankee, 1950 World Series MVP, and Hall of Fame broadcaster for San Diego Padres. Bob Skibar, a retired U.S. Navy, NYC Junior ROTC instructor, and Vietnam Veteran will serve as 2010's "Local Hero" Grand Marshal.
The opening ceremony begins at 10:00AM in Madison Square Park, located at Fifth Avenue and 24th Street. The Air Force band will present a warm welcome featuring a stirring patriotic medley followed by guest speakers including NY State legislators, State Senators and Medal of Honor Recipients, a Wounded Warrior representative, as well as
Mayor Bloomberg.
In remembrance of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, Veterans Day events will include a wreathe laying ceremony, a military 21-gun salute, and a lowering and raising of our flag. The Veterans Day Parade kickoff will begin at 11:30 AM along Fifth Avenue lead by hundreds of Veteran motorcyclists including the Rolling Thunder, Nam Knights, Patriot Guard and Legion Riders Motor Cycle clubs.
The Veterans Day Parade will feature 10 top high school marching bands from across the U.S., 22 colorful floats, more than 3,000 students from JROTC and ROTC schools, along with a number of war veterans who served WWII, the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Alongside war veterans and uniformed service organizations such as the NYPD and FDNY, this year's featured branch of the armed forces, the U.S. Air Force, will march together with Army, Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard.
The reviewing stage, located at 41st Street and Fifth Avenue, will honor dignitaries, high-ranking military officials, and Medal of Honor recipients such as those who served WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and War in Iraq.
NBC 4 New York's cameras will begin live coverage of the parade at 12 noon. The parade runs from 26th Street and Fifth Avenue and heads up the avenue to 56th street. The Veterans Day Parade will be streamed live on nbcnewyork.com/veteransparade and msnbc.com
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