From the Executive Director's Desk

Dear Veterans, Service members, and Friends,

Saturday, November 11, 2006 is Veterans' Day. This year's Veterans' Day Parade honors those "Still Serving Proudly." The New York City Veterans’ Day Parade is the largest in the country. With more than 350,000 veterans living in the five boroughs, New York City’s annual Veterans’ Day Parade gives New Yorkers a very special opportunity to demonstrate their support for the men and women who have served, and who continue to serve, in our nation's armed forces. This year’s parade will pay tribute to more than 8,000 New York City employees; veterans working in the private sector and in State, and Federal service who have worn, and continue to wear, the uniform of our country.

The Mayor's Office of Veterans' Affairs and the United War Veterans' Council are calling on all government employees to march in this year's parade.

Please read the below information on how to obtain a parade application and to get information on upcoming events in the New York City veterans' community.

I look forward to seeing all veterans on Saturday, November 11th, especially, this year's honorees, those who have served both New York City and the United States of America, embodying the very best qualities of public service. In closing, please remember our sisters and brothers serving at home, and abroad, in the war on terrorism. Drop them an email, or send them a letter, thanking them for their service. Until the next time, take care, and . . .

Semper Fi,

Clarice Joynes
Executive Director & Military Liaison
Mayor's Office of Veterans' Affairs

The Colonel Charles Young American Legion Post #398 invites veterans to come up to their post headquarters in Harlem. The address is 248 West 132nd Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues, Manhattan, New York. The post is open Wednesday through Sunday, 8:00 pm to 12:00 Midnight. The post features live jazz and refreshments are available. Contact the Post Commander Mr. Randy Dupree at (212) 283-9701 for more information.

The theme of the 2006 Veterans' Day Nation's Parade is "Still Serving Proudly." The parade begins with a Wreath Laying Ceremony at 10:00 am, at the Eternal Light Monument in Madison Square Park, 24th Street and Fifth Avenue, Manhattan. The parade kicks-off at 11:00 am after the Wreath Laying Ceremony, and proceeds North on Fifth Avenue, from 24th Street to 56th Street. There will be bleachers set up in front of the New York Public Library, at 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue, for those who are not physically able to march.

Applications are still being accepted. For more information, please call the United War Veterans' Council Veterans' Day Parade Hotline at (212) 693-0157. To register to participate in this year's parade, please download the application below.

• Nation's Day Parade Information

• Nation's Day Parade Application

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is honoring our nation's heroes on Veterans' Day by offering every veteran and one guest free admission to the Museum from 9:30 am to 9:00 pm, Saturday, November 11, 2006. For more information, please visit the Museum's Web site at www.metmuseum.org.

The Montford Point Marine Association New York Metropolitan Chapter will be holding its Annual Dinner Dance, from 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Sunday, November 12, 2006 at Antun's Caterers, 96-43 Springfield Boulevard, Queens Village, New York. The Montford Point Marine Association will be celebrating the 231st Birthday of the US Marine Corps. The Association is asking for a donation of $70 per person. For information, please contact Chapter President, Master Gunnery Sergeant James Carr, US Marine Corps (Ret) at (212) 267-3318.

The United States Army Field Band & Soldiers' Chorus will be performing a free concert, 3:00 pm, Sunday, November 12, 2006. The concert will take place at the Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts, 2900 Campus Road, Brooklyn, New York. For free ticket information, call (718) 951-4500.

The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own," will perform at Trinity Church, 1:00 pm, Friday, November 17, 2006. Trinity Church is located on Broadway and Wall Street, Manhattan, New York. No tickets are required. For information call the Trinity Church Wall Street concert hotline at (212) 602-0747.