The 75th annual Central New York Veteran’s Parade and Expo returned this year at the New York State Fairgrounds after being held virtually last year due to the pandemic. More than 90 veteran and military organizations throughout Central New York were a part of the parade.

It was 94-year-old Sal Buonocore’s sixth year at the event. The World War II and Korean War veteran says it’s a good way to recognize service members.

What You Need To Know

  • The 75th Annual Central New York Veteran’s Parade and Expo returned this year after it was held virtually last year due to the pandemic

  • The expo featured different vendors in the Center for Progress that vets could go to in order to receive information about their benefits after service

  • More than 90 veteran and military organizations participated in the parade

“[The event is] showing that we still exist and that we have served our country proudly,” Buonocore said. “I don’t ever regret being in the navy for nine years.”

Buonocore comes from a Navy family.

“My father was in World War I in the Navy, [and] I had two other brothers in the Navy,” Buonocore said.

He followed in their footsteps. Joining the Navy in 1945 and serving for nine years, he was a motor machinist mate as well as an instructor, teaching basic engineering."

“Also I was in Air Sea rescue when they had a lot of sea planes in Norfolk Harbor,” Buonocore said.

He says all young men should be in the service.

“Especially if they don’t have any direction,” he said. “Service gives them direction and education when they have an aptitude toward any field, they expand on it. It gives a person [a] future, education and direction for their life."

The expo featured different vendors in the Center for Progress that vets could go to in order to receive information about their benefits after service.