New York City announced that it will host a “Heroes’ Triumph” ticker tape parade on July 6, 2026, to honor American veterans and their families who have served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan since the 9/11 attacks. This will be the first of its kind in major cities across the United States, aimed at formally recognizing the contributions of a generation of long-serving military personnel.
According to Mayor Adams, the parade is not just a celebration but also a historic tribute to those who have served our nation. He emphasized that these retired servicemen and women “not only defended the country during times of war but also laid the foundation for stability during peacetime.” More details about the event and opportunities for community participation will be announced in the coming months.
The event is scheduled to take place in the “Canyon of Heroes” in downtown Manhattan, and will coincide with the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, the 400th anniversary of the founding of New York City, and the “International Naval Review 250” as significant commemorative events of 2026 in the United States. The naval review event will be co-hosted by the U.S. Navy and the city of New York, with warships from various countries expected to be present on the Hudson River, symbolizing the cooperation of the international maritime alliance.
According to city records, since the 9/11 attacks in 2001, the U.S. military has engaged in a 20-year-long “Global War on Terrorism,” with approximately 2.9 million individuals serving, and 1.9 million of them being deployed to conflict zones at least once. During this period, a total of 7,057 servicemen and women were killed, over 53,000 were wounded, and more than 31,000 veterans died by suicide after retirement, a number four times higher than those who died in combat.
Studies indicate that more than 30% of veterans after 9/11 suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), with over 520,000 cancer diagnoses reported, some of which are linked to exposure to toxic substances during their service.