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Thousands Gather for Veterans Day Parade

By  Trevor Kapp and Aidan Gardiner | November 11, 2015 1:21pm | Updated on November 11, 2015 2:08pm

 The NYPD police band plays
The NYPD police band plays "When the Saints Go Marching In."
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DNAinfo/Nicole Levy

MIDTOWN — Thousands of people gathered along Fifth Avenue to celebrate the service of men and women in the military during the city's annual Veterans Day parade Wednesday.

"Today's incredibly significant. It's a wonderful time to pause and reflect and honor those who served in the past and who are still serving in defense of our freedom," said Lt. Seph Coats, 41, who's been in the navy for the past 18 years.

About 20,000 people, making up 250 different groups, began marching from 26th Street to 52nd Street at 11:25 a.m., organizers said.

Marchers included veterans, active military personnel, civic groups, youth groups and marching bands on foot, floats and old military vehicles, organizers said.

 Mayor Bill de Blasio spoke at the opening ceremony for 2015's Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11, 2015.
Mayor Bill de Blasio spoke at the opening ceremony for 2015's Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11, 2015.
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DNAinfo/Trevor Kapp

"I'm glad to see the turnout. I was spit upon when I came back from the east. It's nice now to be welcomed. It's great, but it wasn't then," said 76-year-old Army veteran Patrick Walsh, who served in Korea and Vietnam.

The parade began after an opening ceremony at Madison Square Park, organizers said.

The ceremony began at 10 and concluded with a wreath laying at 11:11 a.m., commemorating the end of World War I, organizers said.

Mayor Bill de Blasio spoke during the event, urging businesses to do more to help veterans. 

"Our veterans deserve our support and our embrace. There's more to be done. More need jobs. We're going to keep at it," the mayor said.

"Hire a veteran. It makes all the difference."

Google planned to film the parade with special virtual-reality cameras and post the footage online afterwards so that those who couldn't attend can watch it and feel like they were there.