Marines march in New York Veterans Day parade
11/13/2009
By
Lance Cpl. Brian M. Woodruff
,
26th MEU
NEW YORK
Marines from Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force 26 marched in the 90th annual Veterans Day Parade in New York City in honor of military members both past and present Nov. 11, 2009.
The parade was preceded by a ceremony where several guests spoke, including Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, Medal of Honor recipient, Bob Kerrey, New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, and Governor of New York, David Patterson. The guests spoke about what Veterans Day means to them and how proud they were of military servicemembers.
People gathered after the ceremony in front of the Eternal Light Monument, a memorial erected in New York City’s Madison Square Park to pay tribute to those who serve in the United States military.
Nearly 30,000 people marched down 5th Ave. when the parade started. Crowds gathered, cheering and clapping as soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and coast guardsmen passed by. “I was honored to be able to march in the parade and be cheered on by all those people,” said Cpl. Wesley T. Clark, a ground communications repairman with SPMAGTF-26. “It helps remind people what military members past and present have gone through to protect their freedoms.”
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New York City, New York, United Staes-Marines from Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force 26 march in the New York City Veterans Day parade Nov. 11, 2009. The unit was formed to showcase Marine Corps personnel, aircraft, vehicles and equipment while docked at Pier 88 for the USS New York commissioning., Sgt Danielle Bacon, 11/11/2009 8:02 AM
New York City, New York, United Staes-During the New York City Veterans Day parade, Lt. Col. Walter C. Sopp, speaks with 3-year-old children from Preschool of America Nov. 11, 2009. Sopp is the executive officer of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force 26, a unit formed to showcase Marine Corps personnel, aircraft, vehicles and equipment while docked at Pier 88 for the USS New York commissioning. , Sgt Danielle Bacon, 11/11/2009 8:06 AM
New York City, New York, United Staes-Service members from many eras are honored during the opening ceremony for the New York City Veterans Day parade Nov. 11, 2009. Marines from Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force 26 stood in formation for the ceremony. The unit was formed to showcase Marine Corps personnel, aircraft, vehicles and equipment while docked at Pier 88 for the USS New York commissioning. , Sgt Danielle Bacon, 11/11/2009 7:47 AM
New York City, New York, United Staes-Marines from Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force 26 belt out an ooh-rah during the opening ceremony for the New York City Veterans Day parade Nov. 11, 2009. The unit was formed to showcase Marine Corps personnel, aircraft, vehicles and equipment while docked at Pier 88 for the USS New York commissioning. , Sgt Danielle Bacon, 11/11/2009 6:28 AM
New York City, New York, United Staes-Vincent Consigito watches Marines from Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force 26 who were marching in the New York City Veterans Day parade Nov. 11, 2009. The unit was formed to showcase Marine Corps personnel, aircraft, vehicles and equipment while docked at Pier 88 for the USS New York commissioning. , Sgt Danielle Bacon, 11/11/2009 8:53 AM
New York City, New York, United Staes-The color guard from Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force 26 march in the New York City Veterans Day parade Nov. 11, 2009. The unit was formed to showcase Marine Corps personnel, aircraft, vehicles and equipment while docked at Pier 88 for the USS New York commissioning. , Sgt Danielle Bacon, 11/11/2009 8:52 AM
New York City, New York, United Staes-Youth from Pack 422 watch Marines from Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force 26 march in the New York City Veterans Day parade Nov. 11, 2009. The unit was formed to showcase Marine Corps personnel, aircraft, vehicles and equipment while docked at Pier 88 for the USS New York commissioning. , Sgt Danielle Bacon, 11/11/2009 8:24 AM
New York City, New York, United Staes-Patricia Garr, the daughter of a World War II veteran, watches Marines from Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force 26 march in the New York City Veterans Day parade Nov. 11, 2009. The unit was formed to showcase Marine Corps personnel, aircraft, vehicles and equipment while docked at Pier 88 for the USS New York commissioning. , Sgt Danielle Bacon, 11/11/2009 8:21 AM
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