Emotional appeals, but a smaller turnout at National Veterans Day Parade in DC

Copeland and Flynn on stage, with the sword.

Army veteran Kyle Copeland holds the Spartan Sword next to retired Gen. Michael Flynn during the National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Washington. The sword is forged from steel salvaged from the ruins of the World Trade Center, destroyed in a terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001. Flynn, the parade’s grand marshal, and members of the Spartan Sword asked veterans at an outdoor ceremony to take the “Spartan Pledge,” an oath promising to contact a “battle buddy” for help if they have thoughts of suicide. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

WASHINGTON — The highlight of a sparsely attended National Veterans Day Parade in the nation’s capital on Sunday was a brief ceremony featuring a commemorative sword displayed on a temporary stage before the first float rolled down Constitution Avenue.

Retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, along with veterans from the Spartan Sword organization, unsheathed a sword forged from steel salvaged from the ruins of the World Trade Center, destroyed in a terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001.

Sunday marked the third year of the Veterans National Parade in the heart of D.C. The celebration held ahead of Veterans Day on Tuesday is the only national parade dedicated to honoring veterans.

Parade organizers had encouraged veterans and their families to attend a weekend of special events that included a fundraising evening gala Friday and a patriotic-themed live concert Saturday on the National Mall.

Flynn, the parade’s grand marshal, and members of the Spartan Sword asked veterans at an outdoor ceremony Sunday to take the “Spartan Pledge,” an oath promising to contact a “battle buddy” for help if they have thoughts of suicide.

Suicide among veterans is about twice as high as the general population. The sword is shown at public events as a symbolic reminder to veterans and first responders to help each other out in times of crisis, organizers said.

“This sword has a life of its own,” said Army veteran Kyle Copeland, as he held it up to cheers from onlookers assembled on the steps of the National Archives, which was closed in the federal government shutdown.

His voice breaking at times, Copeland recited the two lines of the Spartan Sword pledge: “I will not take my own life by my own hand until I talk to my battle buddy first. My mission is to find a mission to help my warfighter family.”

Britt is accompanied in a jeep by friends.

102-year-old WWII veteran Victor Britt, left, is honored during the National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Guard members and police officers stand under a large American flag hoisted by cranes over the street.

National Guard military police and a DC Metropolitan police officer chat before the National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

The officers ride down a street underneath a large American flag.

Metro D.C. motorcycle police officers prepare to lead the National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Parkersburg (W.Va.) High School’s Big Red Band marches in the National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Capital Guardian Youth Challenge Academy marches in the National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Flynn wears a coat covered in stars and stripes as he greets spectators.

Retired Gemn. Michael Flynn greets the crowd Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Washington before the National Veterans Day Parade. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Donnegan stands up in the car and waqves to the crowd.

2026 Miss America Cassie Donegan acknowledges the cheers during the National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Miss Virginia Teen Aryana Guest, left, and Miss Virginia Madison Whitbeck acknowledge the cheers during the National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Spectators gather at the National Archives ahead of the National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Washington. The federal government shutdown, now the longest in history, combined with disruptions from fewer flights at major airports may have discouraged travel and thinned public turnout, organizers said. (Linda F. Hersey/Stars and Stripes)

The two-hour parade proceeded from the National Archives to the White House. School bands high-stepped along the parade route tossing their batons and swinging musical instruments. The lack of traffic and bustle offered a hometown feel in the middle of downtown Washington.

Country singer Tim Maggart, a former Army captain, was billed as the marquee artist and rode a float sponsored by MetLife insurance company.

A dozen military bands and platoons scheduled to take part bowed out because of the federal government shutdown. A handout identifying parade participants had asterisks next to the military performers stating “participation subject to government shutdown resolution.”

“The government shutdown affects everything. We have the military bands not able to play,” Flynn said.

A Veterans of Foreign Wars motorcycle group, the Royal Legion of Spain, Paws for Purple Hearts, Metro Police Force Recruiting Team and the Miss America convertible made up an eclectic mix of 70 organizations taking part and listed in the official parade brochure.

The federal government shutdown, now the longest in history, combined with disruptions from fewer flights at major airports may have discouraged travel and thinned public turnout, organizers said.

The big tourist draws were closed, including the Smithsonian museums, the National Gallery of Art, National Zoo and the National Archives — where the opening ceremonies for the parade were held under cloudy skies.

Maj. Neil Goodman and his spouse Margaret of Savannah, Ga.,, both veterans of the Army medical corps, attend the National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

“It’s kind of disappointing that the crowds are not larger,” said Army veteran Neil Goodman of Georgia, who was at the parade with his wife, Margaret, also a veteran. “It’s still important for us to be recognizing veterans in a celebration in the nation’s capital today.”

A protest group of about 50 people including veterans organized a block from the parade route and waved signs that stated “Trump Must Go.” But they did not try to disrupt the parade.

Protesters wear the red and white hood and coats of the characters. One holds a sign saying release the Epstein files.

Some protesters came out — including women dressed as characters from the “The Handmaid’s Tale” — to the National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

“We took an oath to the Constitution and not to the man in power,” said David “Gunny” Schwartz, a combat-disabled veteran from Indiana who was among the protesters.

But many of the protesters also wandered over to the parade and quietly watched the festivities underway.

Flynn emphasized the entire celebration was paid for by private sponsorships and donations. “Not a dime for this came from our government,” he said.

Flynn implored visitors to appreciate and value military service.

America “is the most amazing place,” Flynn said. “We have to protect our cities and our country with every fiber in our bodies.”

A spectator rises to cheer as others sit on the steps near him.

A man in the crowd cheers on the Gold Star Mothers float during the the National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

A woman wearing a jacket that says America First reaches out to clasp hands with the driver.

A member of the Maryland Jeep Club is greeted during the National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

The Florida Firefighters Pipes and Drums corps marches in the National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

The vehicle, which says Veterans Affairs Police, rolls past spectators on the steps of the Archives building.

A Veterans Affairs police officer drives the parade route during the National Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)