(Minghui.org) New York’s 104th Veterans Day Parade took place in Manhattan on Saturday, November 11, 2023. Nearly 300 groups and more than 20,000 people participated. Practitioners were invited to participate and Falun Dafa’s principles were praised by spectators. New Yorkers and tourists from around the world watched the parade on Fifth Avenue.
Falun Dafa practitioners participate in the Veterans Day Parade in New York City every year to pay tribute to veterans. This year’s procession included the Tian Guo Marching Band, exercise demonstration team, colorful flag team, flower float team, lotus dance team, waist drum team, and LED car. The group was neat, energetic, and colorful. They introduced the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance and their presence added luster to the parade.
As the Falun Dafa procession passed the podium, the organisers waved to them enthusiastically. The moderator announced: “Now here is the Falun Dafa group. They have participated in the New York Veterans Day parade for more than twenty years. They pay tribute to veterans. They promote and protect freedom and human rights in the world. Welcome Falun Dafa.”
Many people along the parade route took out their mobile phones to take photos and videos, and waved to practitioners. The brightly dressed waist drum team played cheerfully, and the music of “Falun Dafa is good” echoed for a long time on Fifth Avenue and spread to distant neighborhoods.
Helen was excited after seeing the Falun Dafa procession and said, “I hope to see them in every parade. They should participate in every parade.”
She asked if she could have a small origami lotus flower with “Falun Dafa” written on it. She took a little lotus flower with both hands, as if she had found a treasure, and her eyes became moist. “I will hang this in my home,” she said. “I hope the U.S. government can protect them (Falun Dafa practitioners) from the persecution by the Chinese Communist Party.”
Olga said, “It’s beautiful, I like it very much. When their (band) passed by, I felt the energy. It’s a beautiful picture.”
A Vietnam War veteran said, “American soldiers have made sacrifices to fight communism. Communism wants to occupy the world. I don’t want communism to become a part of this world. I think people in this world should love each other. Everyone should just get along.”
Veteran Ron Beicht said that he’s seen the Tian Guo Marching Band many times. Regarding Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, he said, “I think everyone should be kind and treat others well. This group has made many people happy. Thank you very much for being in the parade.”
Grandmother Caitlin O’Regan said, “This is our first time in New York, and it’s great to see a parade like this. They look great and everyone is in good spirits.”
Her grandson Carl said, “I like it very much, it’s very good.” He praised the Tian Guo Marching Band and said, “I’ve never heard this music before. It’s very unique.”
Johnny Gill, a New York City resident who works in medical services, said he liked the Falun Dafa procession. He read the banners, “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance,” and said this is what our world needs right now. “We need these values.” “We need more peace and compassion, and hopefully we can get those good things back in the near future.”
Regarding the message of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance conveyed by Falun Dafa practitioners, Steve said that this is exactly what the world needs, because “the world today is so crazy, violent, and hateful. We need more peace.” The Veterans Day parade means that “more people are fighting for our safety and our freedom.”
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