PHOTOS & VIDEO: On Veterans Day, MTA Salutes Those Who Serve

See Video of Veterans Appreciation Ceremony

See Photos of Veterans Appreciation Ceremony

On Veterans Day, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Metro-North Railroad today honored employees who have served in the United States Armed Forces for their dedicated service and sacrifice as both veterans and public transportation professionals serving the New York metropolitan region.

Metro-North President Justin Vonashek attended the annual wreath hanging ceremony in the Main Hall at Grand Central Terminal to recognize and thank the more than 400 current Metro-North employees who served in the military. The event also featured a performance by MTA Police Pipes and Drum and, new to this year's event, the Aviation High School Color Guard Drill Team.

MTA Police Officer James Volpe sang the National Anthem and God Bless America, and members of the American Legion Commodore Vanderbilt Post 1158, based in Grand Central, hung the commemorative wreath.

The MTA prioritizes hiring of veterans, regularly sending information about examination and employee opportunities for veterans to a network of several hundred government and non-profit groups. Additionally, the MTA conducts robust training programs for service member employees as well as participating in monthly outreach events.

A group of veterans from the MTA's Veterans Employee Resource Group also marched in the Veterans Day parade along Fifth Avenue. The Employee Resource Group embraces the MTA's proud community of veterans, friends, and families who support and encourage each other through shared experiences, veteran recruitment, career development, engagement, professional growth, camaraderie and retention.

On Monday, Metro-North unveiled a newly wrapped locomotive that honors the service and sacrifice of the nation's veterans and was developed with direct input from Metro-North employees who served in the military - the eighth specially wrapped locomotive in the railroad's heritage series. The locomotive will be seen across the entire Metro-North system beginning later this month.