New York City to Host "Homecoming of Heroes," First Major-City Ticker Tape Parade Honoring Post-9/11 Combat Veterans and Their Families

May 22, 2025

Historic Celebration to Mark Military Service, National Milestones, and
Shared Resilience of New Generation of Americans

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) Commissioner James Hendon today announced that the City of New York will next year host a ticker tape parade celebrating the service of post-9/11 servicemembers and veterans — the first of its kind in a major city in the nation. On Monday, July 6, 2026, the City of New York will host “Homecoming of Heroes: A Ticker Tape Parade Honoring Our Post-9/11 Combat Veterans and Their Families,” a historic tribute recognizing the extraordinary service, sacrifice, and resilience of a generation that bore the weight of America’s longest war.

This celebration will be the first time New York City, or any major city in the nation, formally recognizes veterans of the Global War on Terror with a parade down the famed Canyon of Heroes. The event comes at a powerful moment in national and international history — on the heels of the 250th birthdays of the United States Army, Navy, and Marine Corps; the 400th birthday of New York City; and the return of the International Naval Review 250, bringing allied fleets from around the world to New York Harbor in a rare show of global maritime unity and respect.

“The ‘Homecoming of Heroes’ parade is not merely a celebration — it is a historic moment in which a major city unites to solemnly honor the extraordinary service, sacrifice, and resilience of our post-9/11 combat veterans in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Mayor Adams. “Our veterans and their families matter to us — not just during the wartime they fought in, but in the peacetime they achieved. This parade marks a small seed of our gratitude for all those who watered the tree of liberty so that we can sit under its shade. It is because of these brave men and women that we can cherish the most precious gift we have: our freedom.”

“This is more than a parade — it’s a moment of national reflection and a promise kept,” said DVS Commissioner Hendon. “For the post-9/11 generation of combat veterans and their families, this march down Broadway is a symbol of belonging, of closure, and of collective pride. We served through two decades of war. Now, together, we write the next chapter — one of unity, recognition, and possibility.”

The Global War on Terror — initiated in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 — mobilized an entire generation of Americans. More than 2.9 million servicemembers served during this era, with 1.9 million deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan across more than 3 million tours of duty lasting over 30 days. The toll of these conflicts on U.S. servicemembers and their families has been profound — reflected in the lives lost, the injuries sustained, and the challenges many continue to face.

• 7,057 U.S. troops killed in action
• 53,436 troops wounded
• Six troops still missing in action
• 31,177 post-9/11 veterans lost to suicide as of 2021 — more than four times the number killed in combat

 The long-term impact of these wars continues to ripple through the lives of those who served. An estimated 36 percent of post-9/11 veterans live with post-traumatic stress disorder, and over 520,000 cancer diagnoses have been recorded in this population — many linked to toxic exposures.

The Homecoming of Heroes parade will also include members of numerous city and state agencies, whose service on and after September 11, 2001, is inextricably tied to the legacy of the post-9/11 generation.

The Homecoming of Heroes offers a powerful opportunity to rally around those who stepped forward in America’s time of need, and to shine a light on the contributions they continue to make in every field and every borough of this great city and nation. The added presence of the International Naval Review further elevates this global moment of unity, tribute, and transformation.

Additional details, including community events and engagement opportunities, will be released in the months ahead. For sponsorship or production support, please contact connect@veterans.nyc.gov.

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