Thousands of veterans and their supporters marched up Fifth Avenue in New York, home to the nation's oldest Veterans Day parade. The holiday known as Armistice Day held special meaning in the centennial year of the start of World War I. 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 flag bearer dressed as a doughboy (WWI infantryman) pauses during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2014.. (Gordon Donovan)

The U.S. Navy marches up Fifth Ave. at the start of the Veterans Day parade in New York on Nov. 11, 2014. (Gordon Donovan)

 Children wave flags to acknowledge veterans marching during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2014. (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, 2014. (Gordon Donovan)

People dressed as doughboys (WWI infantrymen) get ready for the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2014. The Dough Boys are members of several armed forces who were wearing World War II uniforms to honor the 100th anniversary of the start of the war. (Gordon Donovan)

New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom poses for a photo with Lt. Matthew Stroup, deputy director, Navy Office of Information East, before the start of the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2014. (Gordon Donovan)
An American flag is stretched across Fifth Avenue by veterans at the start of the Veterans Day parade in New York on Nov. 11, 2014. (Gordon Donovan)

 Members of the New York Fire Department's Emerald Society march during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2014. (Gordon Donovan)

Members of the FDNY Emerald Society march during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2014. (Gordon Donovan)
Members of the FDNY march during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2014. (Gordon Donovan)

An old FDNY fire engine carrying veterans and their families during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2014. (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, 2014. (Gordon Donovan)
Members from the U.S. Military Academy Pipes and Drums at West Point, New York, march during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2014. (Gordon Donovan)

Joe T. from Brooklyn, a member of the Nam Knights, hands out flags to spectators during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2014. (Gordon Donovan)

 Rey, a retired IED detection dog that had worked with the Marines, takes a break during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2014. (Gordon Donovan)
Members of the United States Marine Corp pause while marching during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2014. (Gordon Donovan/)

A member of the U.S. Marine Corps Marching Band performs during the Veterans Day parade Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2014. (Gordon Donovan

A performer entertains crowds during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov.11; 2014. (Gordon Donovan)
Performers from the Wounded Warrior Project ride a float during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2014. (Gordon Donovan)

 A volunteer from the Wounded Warrior Project hands out flags to spectators during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2014. (Gordon Donovan)

A land shark marches during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2014. (Gordon Donovan)

A band performs during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2014. (Gordon Donovan)

Veteran Jerry Yellin salutes as he leads the "The Spirit of 45" during the Veterans Day parade up Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2014. (Gordon Donovan)

 A sculpture of a sailor kissing a woman in a white dress on V-J Day in Times Square rides a float during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2014. (Gordon Donovan)
World War II veteran Luke Gaspare waves to the crowds aboard a float during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2014. (Gordon Donovan)

Veterans salute while riding a jeep during the Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in New York on Nov. 11, 2014. (Gordon Donovan)

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