Astronaut Suni Williams rides through NYC as Grand Marshal of the Veterans Day Parade | Space photo of the day for Nov. 13, 2026

On Wednesday, November 11, 2026, retired NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy Captain Suni Williams took to the streets of New York City as the grand marshal of the 107th annual Veterans Day Parade. The iconic 5th Avenue parade, a tradition celebrated on the day honoring veterans of the U.S. armed forces, drew thousands of spectators who cheered and respected the military personnel marching through the city.

Williams, who was chosen for NASA's astronaut program in 1998 and retired in December 2025, had an impressive space career with a total of 608 days spent in orbit, the second-most by an American astronaut behind Peggy Whitson. Her extensive background in the U.S. Navy included roles such as diving officer, naval aviator, helicopter combat support, squadron safety officer, and ultimately, captain, a rank she achieved in 2017.

Williams' service extended to humanitarian efforts, including relief following Hurricane Andrew, and she trained at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. Her distinguished military career and dedication to serving in the U.S. armed forces made her an appropriate choice for the role of grand marshal. As she expressed during the parade, she was proud to join New Yorkers and Americans in honoring the service, sacrifice, and commitment of veterans from every generation.