Generally Speaking: Brooklyn Independence Day Parade on June 25

For the first time in its long history, New York City’s oldest American Independence Day Parade will take place in the Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens section of the borough, on Saturday, June 25. In prior years, the line of march was along Prospect West in Park Slope, then for many years along Third Avenue in Bay Ridge, and more recently along 13th Avenue in Dyker Heights.

This year’s march, which is sponsored by the Long Island Assembly, the patriotic wing of the Knights of Columbus, will be held along Court Street, from Bergen Street to First Place and then swing down to Summit Street.

Several area residents and businesses — including this writer, who served as grand marshal for the 2012 parade, when the parade route was on 13th Avenue — are disappointed to see the parade leave Dyker Heights. However, at least one prominent Dyker Heights resident has been tapped to lead the boroughwide 111th annual parade as 2016 Grand Marshal, Robert Fox. Fox, a parishioner at St. Athanasius Church, is an assistant vice president in the marine insurance industry, and current vice chair of the Long Island Conference (covering Kings, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk counties) for the Knights of Columbus.

Two of the major parade honorees are U.S. Army Sergeant Bryan Dilberian, a disabled veteran and amputee from combat in Afghanistan, who will receive the parade group’s Pro-Patria Award, and NYPD Brooklyn South Deputy Chief Charles Scholl who will be presented with the Father James Brogan Memorial Award for his outstanding service to Brooklyn.

The 2016 Parade Chair is Vincent Gentile (not the councilmember) who has been at the helm of Dyker Heights’ Archbishop John Hughes Council.

* * *Hearty congratulations to now retired, former U.S. Army Garrison Commander Colonel Michael Gould, the newest addition to the Fort Hamilton Citizens Action Committee.

* * *Former New York City Commissioner Brian G. Andersson, who served under two mayors and often filled in at public events, and frequently also served as the city’s official greeter for VIP visitors and foreign dignitaries, will be the keynote speaker at the Society of Old Brooklynites’ 136th anniversary luncheon celebration on Sunday, June 26 at the Bay Ridge Manor.

Andersson is also a former host of two TV shows and has had several appearances on film, TV and radio. The event, which includes a full sit-down served dinner, is open to the public. Reservations are $46 each. Contact Society Treasurer Sherman Silverman at 718-748-3165.