New York City hosted its 96th annual parade, the largest celebration of service in the nation. "America's Parade" featured more than 20,000 participants, including marching bands, floats, veterans and military units. At 11 a.m. — the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month — a solemn hush fell over Manhattan’s Madison Square Park as veterans laid wreaths under the Eternal Light Monument to honor the fallen.
A veteran is all smiles as waves a flag on board a float up Fifth Avenue during the Veterans Day parade in New York City. (Gordon Donovan) New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus stand for a moment of silence during a ceremony before the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York City on Nov. 11, 2015. (Gordon Donovan) Wreaths honoring veterans are displayed around Madison Square Park in New York City on Nov. 11, 2015. (Gordon Donovan)
A veteran gives a thumbs up to spectators on board a float during the Veterans Day parade. (Gordon Donovan) Members of the New York Fire Department's Emerald Society take up their bagpipes for the Veterans Day parade in Manhattan. (Gordon Donovan) A cadet from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point marches during the Veterans Day parade. (Gordon Donovan)
Highly decorated: the hat of a veteran is dressed up with pins as she listens to a speech before the Veterans Day parade. (Gordon Donovan) A spectator is all smiles and cheers as vets march during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2015. (Gordon Donovan) Participants reenact the iconic Alfred Eisenstaedt photograph of a sailor and nurse kissing in Times Square on V-J Day during the Veterans Day Parade in New York City on Nov. 11, 2015. (Gordon Donovan)
Members form Emerald Society march during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York City on Nov. 11, 2015. (Gordon Donovan) Marchers wave U.S. flags during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2015. (Gordon Donovan) Challenger the Bald Eagle poses during a ceremony honoring veterans at Madison Square Park in New York City on Nov. 11, 2015. (Gordon Donovan)
Members of the United States Army march up Fifth Avenue during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2015. (Gordon Donovan) Cadets from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, march during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2015. (Gordon Donovan) An American flag is draped across Fifth Avenue during the Veterans Day parade in New York on Nov. 11, 2015. (Gordon Donovan)
An old NYPD squad car moves its way through the crowd before the start of the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue. (Gordon Donovan) New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio joins the procession to march in the Veterans Day parade in New York City. (Gordon Donovan) A woman in Native American garb gets ready for the parade. (Gordon Donovan)
People dressed as soldiers from the American Revolutionary War pose for a photo during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2015. (Gordon Donovan)

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