More than 40,000 veterans, military personnel and supporters marched up Manhattan's Fifth Avenue Friday in the 97th annual Veterans Day Parade to honor America's men and women in uniform. NY1's Roger Clark filed the following report.

The Marine Corps theme was one of the musical highlights of what organizers call America's Parade. 

The roar of motorcycles with vets on board signaled the start of the 97th Veterans Day Parade, a salute to men and women who served or currently serve in the nation's military. 

"It's amazing to represent all the veterans who served and the families who helped serve them," said Stephanie Dawson, a grand marshal of the parade.

Serving as grand marshals of the parade were three September 11th first responders, who then shipped off overseas to fight in Iraq War.

"I view 9/11 as the first battle in the global war on terror, and the first responders who were there that day, cops, firefighters, really the first veterans of that fight," said Joseph Duggan, a grand marshal of the parade.

"Hopefully, we can can make a loud noise so everyone throughout the globe can hear it and they know they are in our thoughts and prayers today," siad Detective Nelson Vergara, a grand marshal of the parade.

The day began with a ceremony at Madison Square Park, where dignitaries, including the mayor, placed wreaths at the eternal light flag staff. 

Later, the parade took over Fifth Avenue with marching bands and representatives from all of the armed forces, veterans' organizations and active duty military personnel. Along the route, paradegoers waved flags and saluted those marching. 

"Just something I think we should do as citizens to honor the people who protect us," said one parade attendee.

"These type of things make people aware that people are still putting their life on the line and willing to go to war and go to natural disasters in order to protect America," said another.

Each year, organizers choose a featured branch of the United States Military. This year, it's the Coast Guard.

"So many people walking up to us and telling us thank you and getting to represent not only everybody who has come before us, but hopefully everyone who is going to come after us too," said Commander Lily Andrews with the United States Coast Guard.

And that's what the day is all about: thanking the men and women in uniform of yesterday and today.