President Trump kicked off the opening ceremony for the city’s 100th annual Veterans Day Parade at Madison Square Park on Monday before a sea of flag-waving patriots took to Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue.

“Our veterans risked everything for us. Now it is our duty to serve and protect them every day of our lives,” Trump, speaking on stage behind bulletproof glass, told an audience of about 200 people, including veterans and their families, as well as legendary Apollo 11 astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and former Fox News talk show host Bill O’Reilly.

Trump, who spoke while flanked by a seated first lady Melania Trump and four men in uniform, noted that “it is very fitting that the Veterans Day Parade begins here in New York City.”

After the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, Trump said, “The whole world saw the horror and responded to America’s wicked enemies with unwavering courage, unbreakable spirit and resolve that is deeper than oceans, fiercer than fires and stronger than steel.”

He vowed that the country would “never forget.”

The president also referenced last month’s takedown of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in a US raid in Syria.

“Thanks to American warriors, al-Baghdadi is dead, his second-in-charge is dead. We have our eyes on No. 3,” Trump said. “His reign of terror is over and his people are running very, very scared.”

Trump also honored native New Yorker and World War II veteran Jack Foy, who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and said the country would be “forever proud” of his service.

“We pledge to always honor our veterans,” the president said. “To every veteran here today and all across our land, you are America’s greatest living heroes and we will cherish you now, always and forever.”

During the ceremony, a moment of silence was observed to commemorate the exact moment — the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 — of the armistice that ended World War I.

The commander-in-chief and first lady watched from the stage as a pair of US Marines carried a ceremonial wreath from the stage to the six-acre park’s Eternal Light Memorial on the green space’s west side.

Mayor Bill de Blasio, who often spars with Trump, was also in attendance for the ceremony, as well as outgoing Police Commissioner James O’Neill, Sen. Chuck Schumer and the president’s son Eric.

Trump thanked de Blasio at the top of his remarks.

At noon, more than 25,000 people, including veterans, active-duty military personnel and their supporters were expected to march past thousands of spectators on a 1.2-mile route along Fifth Avenue from 24th Street to 46th Street.

Trump is the first president to kick off the city’s Veterans Day Parade — the nation’s largest event honoring service, which is produced by the United War Veterans Council.

As the president spoke, the sounds of nearby protesters blowing whistles and chanting “Lock him up!” could be heard.

The words “Impeach” and “Convict” could also be seen spelled out on posters put up in the windows of a nearby skyscraper overlooking Madison Square Park.

This year’s parade is led by five grand marshals, including three Medal of Honor recipients, spanning generations of service from World War II to the present day.

The grand marshals are Herschel “Woody” Williams, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service in the Marine Corps in World War II; Hiroshi “Hersey” Miyamura, a Medal of Honor recipient for his service in the US Army in the Korean War; former Sen. Bob Kerrey, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service with the US Navy in the Vietnam War; Eddie Ray, a Navy Cross recipient for his service with the Marine Corps in the Gulf War; and Zachary Iscol, a decorated Marine Corps infantry officer who served two tours in Iraq and fought in the Second Battle of Fallujah.