NEW YORK, NY November 11, 2007 —Veterans of the U.S. armed forces are being honored this weekend in ceremonies across the metro area.

REPORTER: In Midtown Manhattan, the 88th annual Veterans Day Parade begins with the Eternal Light Monument Ceremony at Madison Square Park at Fifth Avenue and 24th Street. The parade travels up Fifth Avenue to 56th Street.

Vincent McGowan served in Vietnam and is the president of the United War Veterans Council of New York County. He helped start the group in the early '80s, when the American Legion voted to stop having the parade in New York. He says some Veterans' Day parades in the 80s were so small they didn't even need a permit.

MCGOWAN: I personally had the experience of walking up Fifth Avenue with Mayor David Dinkins, and there were basically maybe 40 people in total, with a drum. And the only people who were watching it were the passers-by who just happened to be on the street at the time.

REPORTER: McGowan says that's not the case anymore. He says 18,000 veterans and other military personnel are taking part in this year's parade.