New York City hosted its 97th annual Veterans Day parade, the largest celebration of service in the nation. “America’s Parade” featured more than 20,000 participants, with marching bands, people on 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.

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Wreaths honoring veterans are displayed around Madison Square Park in New York City on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio stands with service members for a moment of silence during a ceremony before the Veterans Day parade in New York City on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) A U.S. flag flies over Madison Square Park during a ceremony honoring veterans in New York City on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
A veteran enjoys a good cigar as he marches up Fifth Avenue during the Veterans Day parade in New York City on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) A veterans carries a flag in his teeth while riding his motorcycle during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) Stuffed animals adorn an old Cadillac Eldorado convertible before the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A member of the Fire Riders rides a motorcycle up Fifth Avenue during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) A woman and baby wave a flag as vets march during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) An American flag is draped across Fifth Avenue during the Veterans Day parade in New York on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Members of the U.S. Army march up Fifth Avenue during the Veterans Day parade in New York on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) A cadet from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point plays bagpipes during the Veterans Day parade in New York City on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) A cadet from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point marches during the Veterans Day parade. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Police officers wave flags on a float during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York City on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Cadets from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point carry the colors during the Veterans Day parade in New York City on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) A dog wears a naval cap while riding a float during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
A close-up of the ribbons worn by a member of the Marine Corps during the Veterans Day parade in New York City on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Members of the Marine Corps take part in the Veterans Day parade in New York on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Several dogs from Fidelco Guide Dogs march alongside Aetna participants during the Veterans Day parade in New York City on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A member of the Navy takes a selfie with a spectator during the Veterans Day parade in New York on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Members of the Navy march up Fifth Avenue during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) A Navy officer carries a flag while marching in the Veterans Day parade in New York City on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A Desert Storm veteran carries flags in the Veterans Day parade in New York City on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) The West Valley High School Marching Band from Spokane, Wash., marches during the Veterans Day parade up Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Spectators hold up signs as vets march during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan)
A spectator holds up a sign during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) Veterans wait in Madison Square Park before the Veterans Day parade in New York City on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Members of the U.S. Coast Guard march in the Veterans Day parade in New York City on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Young spectators wave flags as members of the armed forces march during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan) Navy personal thank spectators during the Veterans Day parade in New York City on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Members of the Lima Senior High School band perform during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2016. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

Photos taken November 2016 using a Canon EOS-1D X DSLR and EOS-1D Mark IV DSLR with a EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Standard Zoom Lens, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Telephoto Zoom lens.

Published by Gordon Donovan in New York City, News Coverage, Parades