Veterans Day Parade Honors 9/11 Responders and Veterans

Port Authority Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Dawson, FDNY Battalion Chief Joseph Duggan Jr., and NYPD Detective Nelson Vergara hold three folded American flags during a wreath-laying ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial.
Port Authority Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Dawson, FDNY Battalion Chief Joseph Duggan Jr. and NYPD Det. Nelson Vergara during a wreath-laying ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial. Photo by Jin Lee.

In commemoration of the 15th anniversary of 9/11, the three grand marshals that will lead the New York City Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11 represent a twofold service to their country.

Port Authority Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Dawson, FDNY Battalion Chief Joseph Duggan Jr. and NYPD Det. Nelson Vergara are 9/11 first responders and veterans that served in post-9/11 operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Today they joined retired Brig. Gen. Loree Sutton, commissioner to the New York City Department of Veteran Services, in a wreath-laying ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial. The visit was part of the 9/11 Memorial’s annual five-day Salute to Service.

“These three grand marshals are the perfect embodiment of the legacy of service that our military and first responders share,” Dan McSweeney, president of the United War Veterans Council, told the New York Daily News. “As New Yorkers and as Americans, it’s our duty to honor the people who have made these contributions and sacrifices.”

Learn more about Salute to Service and view the full schedule of events here.

By 9/11 Memorial Staff

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