L to R: NYC Mayor Eric Adams; Councilwoman Susan Zhuang; Deacon Anthony Mammoliti of St. Dominic’s Roman Catholic Church; Assemblyman William Colton; Department of Veteran’s Services Commissioner James Hendon
Veterans Day 2025: Honoring 250 Years of Service in New York City
New York City honored the nation’s veterans with the largest Veterans Day celebration
in its history, marking 250 years of American military service. The week-long tribute
began with a Veterans Day Breakfast at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, continued
with the Fifth Avenue parade, and concluded with borough ceremonies, including Brooklyn’s celebration of veterans of Italian descent.
Celebrations began as we spoke with our dear friend, Knight Dominick Critelli, to wish
him a happy Veterans Day. At 104 years old, Critelli, an Italian-born World War II
veteran, Normandy and Battle of the Bulge hero, and recipient of the French Legion of
Honor, was on his way to Washington to take part in the Veterans Day festivities.
Enthusiastic as ever, he continues to embody courage, service, and the enduring spirit of the Italian-American community in New York.
On November 5, La Media New York then graciously invited to the exclusive gathering hosted by the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services, DVS, in partnership with The Met. This year the annual Veterans Day 2025 Celebratory Breakfast, marked the largest veterans’ breakfast in city history. City officials, veterans, service organizations, and Gold Star families gathered for a morning of remembrance and recognition.
The program opened with remarks by Nora Yahya, Senior Governmental Affairs Officer
for The Met, who highlighted the “Vets Take the Met” initiative, underscoring the
museum’s commitment to honoring service members through culture and reflection.
“Veterans here represent generations, all united by a shared commitment to country and community,” Yahya said. “As we celebrate 250 years of service, sacrifice, and shared history, we do so with profound gratitude to you, our veterans, for all you have given and continue to give.” The ceremony featured a Missing Man Remembrance, led by Master Gunnery Sergeant John Escalante (Ret.), honoring prisoners of war and those missing in action. Each symbolic element, the round table, white cloth, single rose, candle, and empty chair, represented the enduring presence of those who never returned home.
Mayor Eric Adams, a U.S. Army veteran and former NYPD captain, delivered the
keynote address, calling for renewed civic pride and national unity. “You can’t play for
a team that you don’t love,” the Mayor said. “Being American does not mean you
always agree, it means you understand that the flag stands for something, and we must
always uplift it.” Adams also reflected on his uncle’s service and sacrifice in the Vietnam War, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to veterans through
programs, memorials, and community initiatives.
Commissioner James Hendon, Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve and head of DVS,
served as master of ceremonies. He recognized major milestones in 2025, the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, and the 250th anniversaries of the U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps.
Commissioner Hendon also announced the winners of the 2025 Boss Up Veterans Small
Business Competition, awarding ten veteran-owned businesses $20,000 grants each. “Every day is Veterans Day,” Hendon said. “Do not fear failure, but please be terrified of regret. We don’t know them all, but we owe them all.”
Tunisia Morrison, Community Engagement Associate for The Met, closed the program
by inviting guests to explore the museum’s galleries, including Arms and Armor, Afro-
Futurist, and the American Wing, featuring Emanuel Leutze’s Washington Crossing the
Delaware.
On the morning of November 11, 2025, official Veterans Day observances began with the main Veterans Day wreath-laying ceremony at the Eternal Light Flagstaff in
Madison Square Park at 10:30 a.m.. The 106th Annual New York City Veterans Day Parade, produced by the United War Veterans Council (UWVC), followed from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Leading this year’s tribute as Grand Marshals were Clinton Romesha, U.S. Army Medal of Honor recipient and veteran advocate; Stephen Peck, U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam veteran and retired President/CEO of U.S.VETS; and Sunita “Suni” Williams, U.S. Navy retired Captain and NASA astronaut. In a press release from September, UVWC shared statements from Mark Otto, UWVC President & Executive Director and the Honorees. “The Grand Marshals for this year’s NYC Veterans Day Parade represent some of our nation’s most dedicated and accomplished service members who continue to serve their country and fellow veterans”, Mr. Mark Otto explains. “With more than a decade of Army service and another decade providing support to returning veterans, I have devoted myself to defending the nation… I am incredibly grateful to lead this year’s NYC Veterans Day Parade as a Grand Marshal, especially for the 250-year anniversary of the U.S. Army”
describes Grand Marshal Clinton Romesha. Grand Marshal Stephen Peck expressed, “It is a tremendous honor to serve as a Grand Marshal… Let’s recommit ourselves to
supporting veterans in tangible ways not just today but every day, whether through
hiring veterans, giving to organizations that help veterans, or simply saying ‘thank you
for your service.” And lastly Grand Marshal Sunita Williams shares, “I truly
understand the sacrifices that veterans and their families make every day… I am
grateful for the chance to help recognize their enormous contributions as one of this
year’s Grand Marshals.”
The parade, the nation’s largest celebration of service, began at Fifth Avenue and 25th Street and proceeding north to 40th Street.
It featured nearly 300 marching and vehicle units and over 20,000 participants.
In Bensonhurst, once Brooklyn’s Little Italy, local officials honored 45 veterans from the
Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard during the annual Veterans ceremony
at IL Centro Community Center on November 12, 2025. Assemblyman William Colton and Councilwoman Susan Zhuang led the event, celebrating the courage and
contributions of South Brooklyn’s veterans.
Among the honorees were Frank Naccarato,
a Vietnam-era veteran who later served with Army Intelligence NATO in West Germany
and now serves as Vice Chair of the Federation of Italian American Organizations, IL Centro, and Deacon Anthony Mammoliti, a 32-year Army and Army Reserves veteran who ministered to military communities after 9/11 and now serves at St. Dominic’s Roman Catholic Church. The ceremony opened with a prayer by Deacon Mammoliti and closed with prayers by Imam Ahmed Ali of IQRA Masjid. Community partners provided refreshments, and children from P.S. 186 presented handmade thank-you cards.
Assemblyman Colton praised the veterans saying, “Our veterans have sacrificed so much to protect our freedom, and it is our duty to recognize their courage and service every day, not just on Veterans Day.” Councilmember Zhuang added, “We owe our veterans more than words; we are committed to expanding benefits and improving services so every veteran in our district receives the care and respect they deserve.”
On the city level, the New York City Council shared on Veterans Day the launch of the
Paul A. Vallone Veteran Resource Centers, placing Veteran Service Officers in every
district through a $540,000 investment. “This initiative represents a vital investment… ensuring no veteran is left behind,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. Earlier this year, at the state level, Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar’s law was passed to help Veterans was passed. The Honorable Separation Act, A04649, requires military discharge certificates to be transmitted to veterans’ service agencies within 60 days. This streamlines access to healthcare, housing, benefits, and reintegration services for all veterans reentering civilian life. Nationally, President Donald J. Trump issued the 2025 Veterans Day Proclamation, recognizing veterans as the cornerstone of America’s freedom, “The story of America is written with the courage, honor, and dedicated service of our veterans. Through their sacrifice, the fires of freedom burn brightly, and we honor their devotion to God, family, and country. By answering the call to serve, our veterans preserve the American spirit and ensure that liberty endures for all time.” Together, these city, state, and federal efforts reflect a coordinated commitment to honoring, supporting, and empowering America’s veterans.
From its origins in 1919 as Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I, the
holiday has long honored the service and sacrifice of America’s veterans. In 1954,
following World War II and the Korean War, the U.S. officially renamed it Veterans Day
to recognize the contributions of veterans from all conflicts. In 2025, as the nation marks 250 years of U.S. military service, the NYC Veterans Day initiatives continue to embody the camaraderie and traditions that pay tribute to generations of service members. The holidays name may have changed from its early beginnings yet it’s purpose to preserve a legacy of courage, dedication, and remembrance is stronger than ever.
From: Jennifer Adriana LaDelfa <[email protected]>
