New York City – The United War Veterans Council announced that Navy veteran Vicki Bello will serve as the honorary marshal for the city’s Veterans Day Parade on Wednesday, Nov. 11. Bello, who manages community and veterans programs for the Theatre Development Fund, will stand alongside Grand Marshal Sunita “Suni” L. Williams, also a Navy veteran, as the parade proceeds up Fifth Avenue.
Honoring Service and Community Impact
“It is an incredible honor to be named an Honorary Marshal of the New York City Veterans Day Parade, and I look forward to marching alongside the men and women who have served our country as we celebrate their service, sacrifice, and contributions to our communities,” Bello said.
Bello, a native New Yorker, enlisted in the United States Navy in 1985. She served as a radioman on assignments in Adak, Alaska, and Ford Island, Hawaii. After active duty ended in 1989, she continued in the Naval Reserve at Fort Schuyler in the Bronx for two more years before receiving an honorable discharge.
Veterans Council Highlights Bello’s Ongoing Commitment
Mark Otto, President and Executive Director of the United War Veterans Council and a Marine Corps veteran, praised Bello’s dedication. “Vicki embodies the spirit of service that the New York City Veterans Day Parade celebrates,” Otto said. “Her commitment to our nation didn’t end with her military service … Through her work at the Theatre Development Fund, she continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of veterans, helping them experience the power of theater and the arts.”
The annual parade, produced by the United War Veterans Council, is the nation’s largest commemoration of military service. It will begin at 12:30 p.m. from Fifth Avenue at 26th Street and march up the iconic boulevard, featuring participants from every branch of the armed forces, thousands of veterans, service organizations, youth cadets, marching bands, floats, motorcycles, and vintage vehicles.
Pre‑Parade Wreath‑Laying Ceremony
Prior to the parade, a wreath‑laying ceremony will be held at 10:55 a.m. in Madison Square Park. Veteran representatives, public officials, foreign allies, and senior military leaders will present wreaths to honor fallen service members.
Channel 7 is proud to partner with the event, helping to bring the community together in recognition of those who have defended our freedoms.
Why This Matters to New Yorkers
The parade not only honors the sacrifices of service members but also showcases the strong ties between the military and the city’s cultural institutions. Bello’s dual role as a veteran and a leader in the arts underscores the importance of supporting veterans as they transition to civilian life and contribute to the community.
New Yorkers are invited to attend the parade, stand with veterans, and celebrate the values of patriotism, family, and faith that bind the city together.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
