Navy Astronaut to Lead NYC’s Veterans Day Parade

The United War Veterans Council has named retired Navy Capt. Sunita “Suni” Williams, a NASA astronaut, grand marshal of the New York City Veterans Day Parade on Wednesday, Nov. 11. The parade steps off at 12:30 p.m. from Fifth Avenue at 26th Street, according to ABC7 New York.

“We are incredibly proud to welcome Suni as Grand Marshal of this year’s NYC Veterans Day Parade,” Mark Otto, the council’s president and executive director and a Marine veteran, said in the announcement. “Her dedication and service embody the values we honor each Veterans Day.”

Williams called it an “incredible honor to serve as Grand Marshal of the NYC Veterans Day Parade and to march alongside my fellow veterans.” ABC7 reported that she was set to be honored at last year’s parade but could not attend because of the government shutdown.

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A Naval Aviator First

Williams commissioned an ensign in May 1987 after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy with a bachelor’s degree in physical science, according to her NASA biography. She became a naval aviator in July 1989.

She flew H-46 helicopters with Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 8 in Norfolk, Virginia, including deployments to the Mediterranean, Red Sea and Persian Gulf for Desert Shield and Operation Provide Comfort. She completed the Naval Test Pilot School in 1993 and later served as aircraft handler and assistant air boss aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Saipan. She logged more than 3,000 flight hours in more than 30 aircraft and retired from the Navy as a captain.

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From the Navy to NASA

NASA selected Williams as an astronaut in June 1998. She flew three missions to the International Space Station, in 2006, 2012 and 2024-2025, and she commanded the station twice, for Expedition 33 and Expedition 72.

Her last mission began June 5, 2024, aboard Boeing’s Starliner on the Crew Flight Test, and she returned in March 2025 aboard SpaceX Crew-9. NASA says she retired effective Dec. 27, 2025, after 27 years of service, with 608 days in space, second on NASA’s cumulative list. She made nine spacewalks totaling 62 hours and 6 minutes.

“Anyone who knows me knows that space is my absolute favorite place to be,” Williams said in NASA’s retirement announcement. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman called her “a trailblazer in human spaceflight.”

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