Veterans Day in Rye 2026

RYE TO HONOR VETERANS ON VETERANS DAY, NOVEMBER 11

The City of Rye will continue its tradition of honoring Rye veterans on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

Rye American Legion Post 128 will be conducting the ceremony at Rye City Hall at 10:30am. The ceremony is planned to be outdoors, weather depending, and will move indoors if necessary.

American Legion Post 128 Commander Fred de Barros will lead the ceremony. He will highlight the American Legion values of the importance of preserving our American traditions and values, improving the quality of life for our nation’s children, caring for veterans and their families, and most importantly, teaching the fundamentals of good citizenship.

Keynote Speaker

This year’s principal speaker will be Rye resident Christian Wade who is a West Point graduate and US Army veteran who served in Iraq.

Chris was commissioned as an officer from West Point into the U.S. Army in 2000 and went on to serve for five years on active duty, largely with the 3rd Infantry Division.

Chris deployed to the middle east multiple times in support of the post 9-11 Global War on Terror and served as the Troop Fire Support Officer with Alpha Troop, 3rd Squadron 7th Cavalry – the lead conventional U.S. Army unit during the initial three-week assault from Kuwait to Baghdad, Iraq in March of 2003. 

In this role, Chris planned, synchronized and executed all indirect fires (close air support, artillery, and mortars) at the decisive point of multiple direct-fire enemy engagements within Iraq and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for actions during combat service.

After leaving active-duty military service, Chris received his MBA from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia and currently works as a Senior Managing Director for Guggenheim Securities in NYC. Chris currently lives in Rye with his wife Cristina and two children.

Rye City Mayor Josh Nathan, US Representative George Latimer and NYS Assemblyman Steve Otis are expected to deliver remarks. Robin Latimer will be the vocalist. 

Rye American Legion Post 128 is sponsoring a luncheon for all veterans and their families immediately following the ceremony in the Rye firehouse on Locust Ave.

RyeTV will record the event.

Christian Wade, 2026 Keynote Speaker with his wife Cristina, son Brooks and daughter Reese.

Leave a Reply