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The 102nd NYC Veterans Day Parade returned to Fifth Avenue after a Covid 2020 pause. Commemoration activities began with brief comments by Mayor de Blasio, Governor Hochul, “Taps” and a 21-gun salute to a reduced crowd at the Eternal Light monument in Madison Square Park.  Members of the armed forces marched up Fifth Avenue to spectator cheers. Vintage army vehicles, Humvees, boats and vintage parade cars followed, draped in patriotic fare. As this year marks the twentieth anniversary of September 11th, and the thirtieth anniversary of Desert Storm, one hopes past lessons are considered as tensions increase across the globe.  A far cry from 2019’s 100th Veterans Day commemoration, inclusion for all participants, spectators, marchers this year was welcomed.  All paid homage to those fighting to keep our country free.

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Jeff Day, an independent photographer based in New York City, documents city life celebrations and the renewal of historical tradition in contemporary voice in the streets. He is completing two books, New Orleans Black and White and New York Street.  A lifelong sailor, Jeff has also documented the water’s edge and shore towns of New York, New England, the Gulf Coast, and Eastern Spain.

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To see more of Jeff’s work, click here.

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All copyrighted photos courtesy of Jeff Day.