Central New York Veterans Parade

Thanks to our Veterans.

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CNY Veterans Parade & Expo Grand Marshal

Grand Marshal Spc. Matthew Hayes led the 4th annual CNY Veterans Parade. An estimate 7,000 to 9,000 came to the 2011 CNY Veterans Parade and Expo at the NYS Fairgrounds. The outpouring of gratitude and support for our soldiers and veterans was overwhelming.

The 90 organizations from across Central New York put on an hour long parade filled with performances, music and local veterans from all conflicts since WWII. The Expo featured great displays of military and veteran's interest, and informational displays of organizations that help veterans and soldiers, including a special performance by the West Point Drill Team. It's a patriotic event that will stick with community members for a long time to come.

Special thanks go to the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum and our sponsors who put so much time and effort into helping organize the event. Their support makes the event possible.

With the new location came a couple of glitches that the CNY Veterans Parade and Expo Board are already working on correcting.

The CNY Veterans Parade and Expo Board is already at work planning the 2012 event. We are looking forward to creating an even more memorable event to say "Thank You" to all the Central New York soldiers and veterans who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms.

CNY Veterans Parade

Assemblyman Magnarelli reinvigorated the CNY Veterans Parade in 2008, by organizing local veterans organizations, military units and high school bands to march down Salina Street in honor of veterans. The effort gained a strong following from the Central New York business and military community and continued to grow in 2009 and 2010.

CNY Veterans Expo

To accommodate the growth, the 2011 CNY Veterans Parade will be held at the New York State Fairgrounds and a military and veterans themed Expo will be held in the Center of Progress Building.

The CNY Veterans Parade, kicking off at noon, will have about 90 participating groups this year, including the West Point Drill Team, the 10th Mountain Division, the 174th Fighter Wing, high school marching bands, and the SU Pride of the Orange Marching Band. Veterans Organizations from across Central New York and as far away as Utica, Rochester, and Watertown will be participating.

The CNY Veterans Expo, being held from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the Center of Progress Building, will feature activities, displays and informational tents from the 10th Mountain Division from Fort Drum. Thirty veterans or military themed kiosks and displays will also be part of the Expo, including Clear Path for Veterans (an organization providingcounseling services); Team Red, White and Blue (an organization using athletics to help wounded soldiers); Adopt-A-Soldier (an organization collecting supplies to ship to deployed soldiers, see attached list); The Syracuse VA Medical Center, and so much more. At the Expo, the Baldwinsville Community Band plays at 11 a.m.; a Special Ceremony Thanking Our Soldiers will be held at 1:30 p.m.; and West Point Drill Team performs at 2:15 p.m.

"It's our responsibility as a community to take care of our veterans, which was the inspiration, and is the main focus at Clear Path for Veterans," said Melissa Spicer, co-founder of Clear Path for Veterans. "The CNY Veterans Parade and Expo gives us the opportunity to spread the word on the importance of recovery and reintegration for soldiers."

Sponsors

The CNY Veterans Parade and Expo is extremely thankful for our sponsors who make it possible to provide this event for the community to thank our soldiers and veterans.

"As a long-time provider of technology to support and protect our nation's warfighters, Anaren is acutely aware of the tremendous sacrifice our region's veterans have made for our country. We are therefore humbled by their service and honored to help underwrite this year's CNY Veterans Parade and Expo," said John Hoeschele, Marketing Communications & Government Relations Manager, Anaren.

"The men and women of our military, those who have served and those who now serve, deserve our gratitude and our respect. It is their sacrifice and achievement that allows us to do what we do. We are honored to again be part of the CNY Veterans Parade and Expo, giving our community an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to our true American heroes," said Joel Delmonico, Vice President, Clear Channel Syracuse.

The support of our sponsors exemplifies the community’s willingness and dedication to recognize and thank our veterans for their service to our nation.

"All of us at the C&S Companies support the CNY Veterans Parade because of its significance as an event to recognize remarkable contribution and significant sacrifice made over the decades by our veterans in Central New York," said Orrin MacMurray, chairman of C&S Companies.

For more information or to get your military organization involved please contact us via the "Contact" link or call 315-428-9651. Join us as we honor the dedication and service of these brave men and women!