2019 Centennial Veterans Day Parade | Grand Marshal Announcement | U.S. Navy SEAL Veteran & Former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey

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

U.S. Navy SEAL Vietnam Veteran & Medal of Honor Recipient

Former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey

FORMER U.S. SENATOR BOB KERREY TO SERVE AS 2019 NYC VETERANS DAY PARADE GRAND MARSHAL

Medal of Honor Recipient to represent Vietnam War Veterans for Centennial Event

The United War Veterans Council (UWVC) announced Medal of Honor recipient and former Senator Bob Kerrey as the final 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. Mr. Kerrey, who served as a U.S. Navy SEAL during the Vietnam War, is the fifth of this year’s five Grand Marshals, who each represent an era of service from World War II to the present day.

He joins Grand Marshals Herschel “Woody” Williams (U.S. Marine Corps, World War II), Hiroshi “Hershey”Miyamura (U.S. Army, Korea), Eddie Ray (U.S. Marine Corps, Desert Storm) and Zach Iscol (U.S. Marine Corps, Iraq & Post-9/11).

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.

Mr. Kerrey was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1943. He served in the United States Navy as an elite SEAL officer during the Vietnam War. On March 14, 1969, Kerry was seriously wounded while in command of a SEAL Team during amission on an island in the bay of NhaTrang. Despite these injuries, which would result in lifelong disabilities, he continued to lead his men until he was eventually evacuated by helicopter. For his actions, he received the Medal of Honor from President Richard Nixon in May, 1970.

After completing his military service, Mr. Kerrey ran several successful businesses before returning to public service. He served one term as Governor of Nebraska, from 1983 to 1987, and then served as a U.S. Senator for Nebraska from 1989 to 2001. From 2001 to 2011, Mr. Kerrey was President of The New School in New York City. He has also served on the 9/11 Commission, on the advisory board of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Association, as co-chair of the Concord Coalition, and on the Natural Resources Defense Council. He is currently Managing Director at Allen & Company, and Executive Chairman of the Minerva Institute for Research and Scholarship. Mr. Kerrey resides in New York City with his wife, Sarah Paley.

“Through his personal story and lifetime of service, Senator Kerrey offers us all a true example of perseverance and commitment to our nation” said UWVC Executive Director Mark Otto. “We are proud that he will be joining us and representing our Vietnam veterans at this year’s Centennial Veterans Day Parade.”

“I hope this parade will be a time to celebrate and express our gratitude for the sacrifice and risks run by the men and women who served in our military” Senator Kerrey said.  

ABOUT THE NYC VETERANS DAY PARADE:  The New York City Veterans Day Parade is our nation’s largest event honoring service. Produced bytheUnited 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.