Monroe County Executive Adam Bello announces plans for the fourth annual Veterans Day Parade that will honor local heroes and bring the community together this November

Monroe County, New York – Monroe County will once again come together this fall to honor its veterans, as County Executive Adam Bello has announced details for the Fourth Annual Veterans Day Parade. The event, presented by Salvatore’s Old Fashioned Pizzeria, will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

The procession is set to start at the intersection of South Goodman Street and Highland Avenue, continuing along Highland before concluding at the Greater Rochester Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Gary Beikirch Park on South Avenue. Organizers say the location holds special significance, offering a place of remembrance for those who served and sacrificed.

Each year, the parade selects a Grand Marshal to serve as a central figure of recognition. For 2025, that role will be filled collectively by Honor Flight Rochester, a volunteer-driven program that provides U.S. veterans with free trips to Washington, D.C. so they can visit the memorials built in their honor.

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“This year’s parade is an opportunity for this community to show collectively how grateful we are for the work of Honor Flight Rochester to ensure that veterans, especially those from earlier eras, have the opportunity to see the memorials built in their honor,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. “The Veterans Day parade continues to grow every year as a fitting tribute to those who selflessly defend our freedom.”

The decision to spotlight Honor Flight Rochester follows a pattern of choosing Grand Marshals with deep ties to the veteran community. In 2024, the parade honored “The Vietnam Veteran,” a collective title that marked fifty years since the end of the Vietnam War. In prior years, figures such as Monroe County Sheriff Todd K. Baxter and longtime radio personality Alan “Brother Wease” Levin have been given the honor.

This year’s lineup promises to bring the same mix of solemn tribute and lively celebration that has characterized past parades. Marching bands will provide patriotic music, while veterans’ service organizations, law enforcement units, and active-duty service members are expected to take part. Military-style vehicles will also roll through the streets, joined by community groups representing veterans across all branches and all eras of U.S. service.

Organizers emphasize that the parade is not only a county event but also a community effort. Local groups are invited to march or participate in the procession, and officials have encouraged anyone interested in taking part to register through the county’s website. Details and applications can be found at https://www.monroecounty.gov/vsa-parade.

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Over its four years, the Monroe County Veterans Day Parade has grown steadily, drawing larger crowds and greater participation each November. County leaders hope this year’s event will continue that tradition, offering residents an opportunity to come together, show support for their neighbors who served, and reflect on the sacrifices that underpin American freedom.

With the spotlight on Honor Flight Rochester, the 2025 parade is shaping up to be both a celebration of community pride and a moment of gratitude for an organization dedicated to honoring the region’s veterans. As the county prepares for the November gathering, Bello and organizers say the message remains the same: a collective salute to the men and women who have worn the nation’s uniform.