New York veterans, from every military campaign since Korea, boarded a bus for Washington this morning to march in President Obama’s Inauguration Day Parade.
Jeff Swansen, production manager for the United War Veterans Council which organized the trip, called today's journey an "incredible honor."
"We're very excited. It's the first time we've done this. I mean, the president is the Commander-in-Chief, so this is an incredible honor and we're proud to represent New York," Cold War-era vet Swansen told The Post.
Korean War vet Sal Scarlato said he would tell Obama "not to forget the vets."
Wayne Carrington
Sandi Williams, left, an Army Korean War veteran and Debbera Ransom, right, a Cold War veteran both from Buffalo, NY.
Wayne Carrington
Sal Scarlato, a Korean War vet
"[Obama's] in the ballpark in supporting the vets, but there's always more that can be done … medical, housing, education, jobs...especially for the new guys coming home. They need jobs."
Cold War vet Debbera Random drove from Buffalo to New York for the ride to DC.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Random said. "I'm so honored that I'm physically able to march and to be able to show how excited we are."
The 44 veterans, who left from downtown around 4:30 a.m., will roll past Obama and thousands of spectators on a float that’ll feature the Statue of Liberty wearing dog tags.
Organizers with the United War Veterans Council said the float will be blast Empire State-inspired songs like Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York."
NY vets head to DC for inaugural parade
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NY vets head to DC for inaugural parade
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NY vets head to DC for inaugural parade
