Other departments join Department of New York in annual event.
As participants in the American Legion Department of New York’s entry in the 2026 New York City Veterans Day Parade gathered on 26th Street between 6th Avenue and Broadway Wednesday morning, one couldn’t help but notice the different departments represented.
Legionnaires, SAL and Auxiliary members from New Jersey, Massachusetts, Texas and Puerto Rico were there to march alongside their Legion Family members from New York.
“It’s great that they’re coming out to the city,” Bronx County Adjutant Gene DeFrancis said. He added that it was important for the Legion Family to work together to continue to serve as the voice of servicemembers and veterans.
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PHOTOS: Members of the New York American Legion Family march up 5th Ave. in New York, NY, for the 2026 Veterans Day Parade on Wednesday, November 11. Photos by Benjamin Norman/The American Legion
That drive to support is what brought Detachment of Massachusetts Commander Jesse Limanek to New York City for the annual parade.
“In order for The American Legion to prosper and fulfill our mission of assisting veterans and advocating for veterans, I think it’s very important that all of the entities maintain representation at all events that focus on veterans,” Limanek said. “The more we can show as a family, the more powerful our message is.”
Department of New York Commander Thomas Schreck said “it’s always good” to see departments supporting each other.
For Schreck, a resident of Rochester, Wednesday’s event was his first time participating in the parade. The annual event draws thousands to downtown Manhattan, and this year’s weather — sunny and in the 60s — provided a beautiful backdrop for the parade.
“We’ve had some really rough ones down here (weather-wise),” Past Detachment of New York Commander Joe Guidice said.
The department’s float carried the message that “Veterans Never Stop Serving.” It was a message that the Legion Family parade participants carried as well.
“It renews their faith in our veterans that we’re out here even after we’ve served,” said New York’s 7th District Commander Bill Coleman. “It’s moving, walking down Fifth Avenue and having people thank you for your service, it’s very emotional.”
The event also included a special bonus—the Humvee grand prize in The American Legion’s Drive 4 Freedom Sweepstakes, which followed the department’s float in the parade.
“I think the visibility of it is fantastic,” Coleman said. “I think it’s a great thing that The American Legion is doing.”
“Brand recognition is everything,” Limanek said. “In my own home community, I’m amazed at how many people don’t understand what The American Legion is. So being able to go out in public, even if it’s just someone seeing it passing by, maybe it piques their curiosity, they do a little research, and they understand the significance of the world’s largest veterans advocacy organization.”
DeFrancis was hopeful the Humvee would “inspire the kids watching the parade to join” the military.
“It’s another advertising tool, a public relations tool. And someone can actually win that,” Schreck said.
- Veterans Day