Member os the 102nd United States Colored Troops Company C participating in the African American Veterans Garden Dedication Ceremony at YPOP Garden, Jackson on May 27, 2024. JTV file photo.
(November 10, 2025 4:17 PM ET) The 102nd United States Colored Troops Company C, a student living history organization from Jackson, will represent Michigan in the 2025 New York City Veterans Day Parade, the nation’s largest celebration of service. With the Army celebrating its 250th anniversary on June 14, the Marine Corps reaching this milestone on November 10 just one day before the parade, and the Navy marking 250 years on October 13, this year’s event will be especially historic. Thousands of participants and spectators are expected to gather along Fifth Avenue, and the parade will be broadcast live to audiences nationwide and around the world.
The 102nd’s presence carries forward the legacy of the original regiment, first organized in 1863 as the 1st Michigan Colored Regiment before becoming the 102nd USCT. They were part of the more than 180,000 African American soldiers who fought in the United States Colored Troops during the Civil War, including roughly 1,446 from Michigan. Their courage helped secure Union victory and advance the cause of freedom at a defining moment in American history.
Today the Gospel Army Black History Group (102nd United States Colored Troops Company C) keeps that history alive through education, public performances, and community outreach. As the largest living history group of its kind in the nation, with about 40 members comprised of high school and college students, they bring the past to life in a powerful and relevant way. Marching in this nationally recognized parade provides a unique opportunity for young men of Michigan to honor the sacrifices of those who came before them and to showcase the state’s history and heritage on a national stage.
The 102nd is also an official America250 partner, helping prepare the nation for the 250th anniversary of independence in 2026. Their role in this year’s parade underscores the importance of remembering the contributions of African American soldiers and ensuring their stories remain part of the country’s larger journey.
When: Tuesday, November 11, 2025 (Veterans Day)
Time: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM (rain or shine)
Route: Fifth Avenue between 26th Street and 50th Street
Broadcast: Live on ABC 7 New York and streamed nationwide
- Online streaming: The parade will be streamed live on:
- abc7NY.com
- WABC’s mobile and connected TV apps
- WABC’s social media pages (Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok)
- Military.com
- FOX 5 NY
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