Crowds turn out for annual Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade

Proud patriots packed Third Avenue to applaud and celebrate the sacrifices made by members of our armed forces at the 146th Annual Memorial Day Parade held in Bay Ridge on Monday, May 27.

The sun shone brightly as a cool breeze brought hundreds of waving American flags to life. Such gorgeous weather, combined with the gratitude of onlookers and the enthusiasm of parade participants was truly a recipe for success.

The parade, themed “Lest We Forget,” was an opportunity to reflect for American veterans and their supporters.

“The veterans who lost a buddy, lost a friend, get an opportunity to remember them. People applaud them to let them know that their actions were not for nothing,” said First Vice President of the Memorial Day Parade Committee and Air Force veteran Ray Aalbue.

Borough President Marty Markowitz marched as the parade’s grand marshal, and Chief of Staff of Brooklyn Parks and Coast Guard veteran Marty Maher served as the deputy grand marshal.

The Memorial Day Parade Committee was “very honored,” said Aalbue, to have the Marching Knights of Lahser High School come all the way from Bloomfield, Michigan to perform a patriotic medley following the parade at John Paul Jones Park, commonly known as Cannonball Park. The ceremony also included a wreath laying, a 21-gun salute, and the playing of taps.

Parade Committee Second Vice President Connie Ranocchia expressed some concern over the lack of participation from younger veterans, saying, “When you first come home you want to get your life together. They don’t want to be part of anything that has to do with veterans.”

Nevertheless, there was certainly a youthful presence at the parade, with many Boy and Girl Scouts marching. “Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are the future of America. They’re involved in honoring veterans every day,” said Ranocchia.

Gwen Aviles, from Troop 2036, who will be attending Cornell University in the fall, sang the national anthem.

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