Nation’s capital honors veterans with parade down Constitution Avenue

The U.S. Army’s Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps marches in the National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday in Washington. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)

WASHINGTON — Marching bands and military-type vehicles moved down Constitution Avenue on Sunday in the National Veterans Day parade, a new addition to the list of veteran-themed events in the nation’s capital.

Organizer Francis Ventura hopes the parade will become an annual tradition.

Among the day’s highlights was a reading of a tribute to service members by actor Tony LoBianco, whose numerous credits include “The French Connection.”

A custom vehicle takes part in the National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Washington. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)

Riders from the Maryland-based Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club relax before riding in the National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Washington. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)

The Lewisburg (Pa.) Area High School marching band lines up for a photo on the National Mall before the National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Washington. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)

The Freedom High School Patriots marching band from Bethlehem, Pa., warms up on the National Mall before the National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Washington. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)

The National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Washington. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)

The National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)

The Armed Forces Color Guard, in front of the National Archives before the National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Washington. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)

The National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Washington. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)

Actor Tony LoBianco reads a tribute to service members before the National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Washington. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)

Reigning Classic Ms. Universe Glenna Rollins rides in the National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Washington. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)

The National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Washington. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)

The National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Washington. ()

The National Veterans Day Parade in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Washington. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)

The Coast Guard Auxiliary takes part in the National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Washington. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)

The National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Washington. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)

Parade organizer Francis Ventura speaks to the spectators before the National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Washington. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)