Veterans Honored With Annual Parade in New York and Nationwide

The parade features 20,000 marchers, including veterans, civic and youth groups and more than 3,000 men and women on active-duty. A 21-gun salute and a military flyover are scheduled during the parade.

"The backbone of America, really, is the men and women who fought for our country," said parade chairman Pat Gualtieri. "So without that, you might as well just forget it all."

"If the nation can show its veterans that they're grateful, then we'll always have young people ready to step up and fill the ranks," said vet Don Stoud, who is marching in the parade.

Both Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Governor David Paterson are expected to deliver speeches and march in the parade.

The march ends on 56th Street.

There will be street closures in the area until 3 p.m.