NYC Parades

Columbus Day

The Annual Columbus Day Parade on Fifth Avenue in New York City celebrates the spirit of exploration, the struggles and triumphs of immigrants who helped build the United States, and the vibrant heritage and cultural wealth of the Italian-American community. The Veteran Corps of Artillery has led the parade, serving as the honor guard for the governor of New York, the mayor of the City of New York, and the Grand Marshall of the parade.

Veterans' Day

This parade is the largest of its kind in the nation, providing an opportunity for New Yorkers and visitors from across our country (and around the world) to honor those who have preserved our freedoms. The ceremony starts at 10:00AM on 23rd St. and 5th Avenue at the Eternal Light in Seward Park. The VCA provides a Color Guard and Honor Guard in front of the speakers' podium and grandstand. The parade begins after the speeches and wreath laying have been completed and the moment of silence is observed at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month.

St. Patrick's Day

The first St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York was held on lower Broadway in 1762 by a band of homesick Irish ex-patriots and Irish military serving with the British Army stationed in the American colonies in New York City. This was a time when the wearing of green was a sign of Irish pride and was banned in Ireland. The parade participants reveled in the freedom to speak Irish, wear the green, sing Irish songs and play the pipes to Irish tunes that were very meaningful to the Irish immigrants who had fled their homeland.
For the first few years of its existence, the parade was organized by military units. After the war of 1812, the Irish fraternal and beneficial societies took over the duties of hosting and sponsoring the event. Around 1851 the individual societies merged under a single grand marshal and the size of the parade grew sharply.
Since the first Parade, 247 years ago, the Parade has been escorted by a unit of soldiers; for the past 150 years or so "The Irish Infantry" National Guard 69th Regiment have lead the Parade up Fifth Avenue from 44th Street past St. Patrick's Cathedral and the Irish Historical Society ending at 86th Street.
The Corps provides a Color Guard and often serves as the Honor Guard for the Governor, or in his absence, the Mayor.

Memorial Day

Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service and is currently celebrated on the last Monday in May.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873.
The day begins in the armory halls with brief speeches of remembrance for fallen comrades. The Corps then provides a Color Guard for the march to the site of the 7th Regiment Veterans Monument at 67th Street and 5th Avenue. After a brief prayer service, the Rifle Battery fires a salute and Field Music plays Taps. The Memorial Service is followed by a luncheon sponsored by the 7th Regiment Veterans Association in the Tiffany Room of the Armory.

Flag Day

The Annual Flag Day Parade and luncheon at Fraunces Tavern sponsored by the Sons of the Revolution (SR) is lead by the VCA Color Guard. The parade starts at City Hall Plaza and winds through the financial district ending at 54 Pearl Street. Short speeches are given by representatives of the branches of the Armed Forces followed by performances by the NYSD Pipe and Drum Corps and the USO. Awards are presented to the children whose essays have won their school's competition on the significance of the American Flag. The award winners and their families join the Sons and the Corps for a luncheon at Fraunces Tavern.