2019 Centennial NYC Veterans Day Parade | Grand Marshal Announcement: U.S. Marine Corps Veteran & Entrepreneur: Zach Iscol

The United War Veterans Council announces the fourth of its 2019 Centennial NYC Veterans Day Parade Grand Marshals:

Post-9/11 U.S. Marine Corps Veteran & Entrepreneur

Zach Iscol

MARINE VETERAN JOINS CENTENNIAL VETERANS DAY PARADE LEADERSHIP

Zach Iscol is founder of three organizations serving post-9/11 veterans

NEW YORK, September 12, 2019 – On the day after the anniversary of September 11, the United War Veterans Council (UWVC) announced post-9/11 U.S Marine Corps Veteran Zach Iscol as a Grand Marshal for the 2019 New York City Veterans Day Parade.    

This year’s Parade marks the centennial observation of Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day.  Iscol, who served in Iraq and on a number of other post-9/11 deployments, is the fourth of this year’s five Grand Marshals, who will each represent an era of service from World War II to the present day.  He joins previously announced Grand Marshals Hiroshi “Hershey” Miyamura (U.S. Army, Korea), Eddie Ray (U.S. Marine Corps, Desert Storm) and Herschel “Woody” Williams (U.S. Marine Corps, World War II).

The Parade will take place on New York City’s iconic Fifth Avenue, in the heart of Manhattan, on November 11, 2019.  It will feature nearly 300 marching units and over 25,000 participants from nearly 30 states, including veterans, military members, service organizations, youth cadets and top high school marching bands.  The parade will be broadcast on TV and online by WABC-TV, the nation’s most-watched television station.

Born in New York City and raised in Pound Ridge, Iscol was commissioned on August 11th, 2001 as a U.S. Marine Corps officer following his graduation from Cornell University.  His wartime service began just one month later, following the 9/11 attacks on New York City.  Iscol served two tours in Iraq as an infantry officer and fought in the second battle of Fallujah, considered to be the heaviest urban combat involving U.S. troops since the battle for Hué City during the Vietnam War.  He also served in the Marine Corps’ Special Operations Command, with assignments throughout Africa and the Middle East.

Since leaving the military, Iscol has founded three different organizations dedicated to serving and giving voice to veterans: Headstrong, a non-profit healthcare company partnered with Weill Cornell Medical Center that builds and manages networks of world-class mental healthcare providers in 25 cities around the United States to provide effective, cost and bureaucracy free mental healthcare to veterans suffering from PTSD, MST, and other hidden wounds; Hirepurpose, which helps companies build talent acquisition pipelines to hire military experienced talent; and Task and Purpose, a military and veteran-focused digital media platform that reaches millions of readers each month.  He is also active as an advocate and supporter of a wide range of other veterans causes.

“Through his military service, and through his tireless commitment to those who have served, Zach has dedicated his life to our nation and to our veterans community,” said UWVC Executive Director, Mark Otto.  “We are proud for him to represent not only our post-9/11 generation of veterans, but all those who actively continue to serve, even after hanging up their uniform.”

“I’m incredibly honored to get to walk alongside living legends on Veterans Day and humbled to represent another great generation of American veterans, who have returned home from war to continue their service in their communities. Thank you to the UWVC for caring for our community, keeping our stories alive, and bridging the civil-military divide,” said Zach Iscol, “our teams at Headstrong, Hirepurpose, and Task & Purpose are lucky to partner with you.” 

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ABOUT THE NYC VETERANS DAY PARADE:  The New York City Veterans Day Parade is our nation’s largest event honoring service. Produced by the United War Veterans Council (UWVC), the Parade provides the public with the opportunity to salute our veterans and military, and raises awareness for organizations working to serve their needs. It is the centerpiece of an annual citywide effort to honor our veterans community.  The Parade features veterans groups and service providers, military units, youth and civic groups, top high school bands from across America, vintage vehicles, floats and more. It is supported by numerous sponsoring partners, including UWVC Recycling, JP Morgan Chase & Co., Fiserve, Cushman & Wakefield, Wounded Warrior Project and A+E Networks/HISTORY. For more information, visit uwvc.org/vetsday.

ABOUT THE UNITED WAR VETERANS COUNCIL:  The United War Veterans Council, Inc. (UWVC) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that honors and serves veterans.  The UWVC supports and promotes a wide range of initiatives that provide vital services to our veterans community (including health, wellness and education); raises positive awareness and increases public understanding of the needs of our veterans community through major public events and promotional activities; and brings together veterans groups, community organizations, government agencies, businesses of all sizes and the general public. For more information, visit uwvc.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.