(Minghui.org) November 11, 2022, is Veterans Day in the United States and honors the men and women who have served active duty in the armed forces. The largest Veterans Day parade in the United States takes place each year in Manhattan, New York. Falun Gong practitioners once again participated in the parade up Manhattan’s famous Fifth Avenue to introduce the meditative practice to the public. 

Falun Gong practitioners participate in the 103^rd Veterans Day parade in Manhattan, New York on November 11, 2022

More than 280 groups, dozens of floats, and more than 20,000 people participated in the parade. Although it rained fairly heavily, the groups and veterans participating in the parade were full of energy and lined up neatly. Floats, military bands, and huge American flags appeared one after another. Many people braved the rain to watch the parade.

Falun Gong practitioners have participated in this parade for nearly 20 consecutive years. The Falun Gong procession included the Tian Guo Marching Band, an exercise demonstration group, flag dancers, lotus dancers, waist drummers, banners, and LED cars. 

The Tian Guo Marching Band’s music won warm applause from the military officers on stage when the procession passed the rostrum. The band members were dressed in ancient Chinese costumes and played drums, snare drums, flutes, piccolos, clarinets, oboes, saxophones, trumpets, French horns, tubas, and sousaphones. The band had the largest variety of instruments among the military bands participating in the parade

Major General Rod Faulk of the U.S. Army complimented the band in an interview, praising the band members and their performance. The moderator of the United War Veterans Council, the parade host, introduced Falun Gong when the team passed by the rostrum. 

A veteran named Bridget said: “[The Falun Gong group] is beautiful. I was talking about them just now. I saw them practicing the exercises. I wonder if this would be helpful for veterans. I am still searching for more information on my phone. I want to know more and I think it should be helpful to veterans.” 

Background: What Is Falun Dafa?

Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) was first introduced to the public by Mr. Li Hongzhi in Changchun, China, in 1992. The spiritual discipline is now practiced in over 100 countries worldwide. Millions of people who have embraced the teachings—which are based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance—and learned the five exercises have experienced improved health and well-being.