New York City hosted its annual Veterans Day Parade, the largest celebration of service in the nation, on Nov. 11. “America’s Parade” featured more than 20,000 participants, with 300 marching bands, floats, veterans’ groups 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 Flagstaff to honor the fallen. Medal of Honor recipient Florent Groberg (U.S. Army, Afghanistan) was this year’s grand marshal.

This year’s parade commemorates the centennial of the end of World War I in 1918. The Army was this year’s featured military branch. As always, the Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard were also represented in a national network of events working toward the 100th anniversary of Veterans Day in 2019. (Yahoo News)

Wreaths honoring veterans are displayed around Madison Square Park in New York City on Nov. 11, 2018. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

A woman wears buttons of loved one who served in teh armed forces during the Veterans Day parade in New York on Nov. 11, 2018. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

A woman holds flags that are the Veterans Day parade in New York on Nov. 11, 2018. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

Historical reenactors dressed a soldiers from the First World War I march during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2018. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

A historical reenactors pose for a recreation of V-J Day in Times Square (also V-Day and The Kiss) photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt in 1945 during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2018. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

A service dog from Therapy Dogs stops for a photo while marching alongside veterans during the Veterans Day parade in New York City on Nov. 11, 2018. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

The United States Marines march up Fifth Ave. in the Veterans Day parade in New York on Nov. 11, 2018. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

A performer dress at the Statue of Liberty waves towards the camera during the Veterans Day parade in New York City on Nov. 11, 2018. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

The Gahanna Lincoln Golden Lions High School Marching Band from Gahanna, Ohio performs during the Veterans Day parade up Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2018. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

A veteran smiles waving a flag on board a float up Fifth Avenue during the Veterans Day parade in New York City on Nov. 11, 2018. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

NYPD officers smile for the camera during a break while marching during the Veterans Day parade up Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2018. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

Service dogs take a break while marching alongside veterans during the Veterans Day parade in New York City on Nov. 11, 2018. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

Honorary Grand and Medal of Honor Recipient Florent Groberg with his girlfriend Carsen ride in a convertible during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2018. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

Cadets from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point marches during the Veterans Day parade on Nov. 11, 2018. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

Spectators wave flags as vets march during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2018. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)