New York honors veterans on 100th anniversary of Armistice Day

Veterans march in the 2018 New York City Veterans Day Parade. Photo by Emil Valerio, EBC New York Bureau, Eagle News Service.

 

Photo by Emil Valerio, EBC New York Bureau, Eagle News Service.

 

By Emil Valerio
EBC New York Bureau

NEW YORK (Eagle News) — Monday, November 11, 2019 marks the 100th year anniversary of Armistice Day.

“The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.” — This familiar phrase dramatically states the moment agreed to end World War I.

President Thomas Woodrow Wilson spoke 100 years ago declaring November 11 as Armistice Day, as posted on the Library of Congress website:

“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

Today we celebrate this day as Veterans Day. The first Armistice Day parade was held in Wisconsin on November 11, 1919. The New York City Veterans Day Parade is currently the largest parade held in the U.S. in honor of the occasion with more than 25,000 participants along 1.2 miles of Fifth Avenue including veterans, active duty military personnel, supporters and students.

For this centennial celebration, Commander in Chief and President Donald J. Trump became the first known sitting president to participate in the NYC Veterans Day Parade. He delivered a tribute during the opening ceremony to the brave men and women who served this country, saying, “Today we come together as one nation to salute the veterans of the United States Armed Forces, the greatest warriors to ever walk the face of the earth. Our veterans risked everything for us. Now it is our duty to serve and protect them every single day of our lives. It is truly an honor to come back to New York City, right here at Madison Square Park, to be the first president ever to attend America’s parade.”

“This morning as more than 30,000 patriotic Americans lined the streets of Manhattan, we carry on a noble tradition that began one century ago,” said President Trump.  “In 1919, the people of this city filled block after block to welcome home General Pershing and his 25,000 American soldiers after a victory in World War I.

Every year since, on November 11 we have shared our nation’s deepest praise and gratitude to every citizen who has worn the uniform of the American army, navy, air force, coast guard and marines.”

(Eagle News Service)