It’s a grand old flag! Brooklyn’s 155th annual Memorial Day Parade brought hundreds of patriotic marchers and spectators out to show their support for our nation’s veterans and active members of the Armed Forces on Memorial Day, May 30. It was heartwarming to see so much red, white and blue “on the avenue” and inside John Paul Jones Park as for the traditional wreath-laying memorial service.
The service included bagpipes, flag-raising, wreath-laying by veterans’ service organizations, a 21-gun salute by the Veteran Corps of Artillery, and the playing of Taps.
The parade’s grand marshal was James Hendon, commissioner of the New York City Department of Veteran Services. The deputy grand marshal was Donald LaSala, commander of the Catholic War Veterans OLPH Post. First responders and essential workers were the day’s honorary marshals.
During the last two years, a smaller-scale Memorial Day Parade/Motorcade was held in Bay Ridge due to COVID-19, along with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Brooklyn Veterans Administration Medical Center.
Dan Texeira, president of the Merchants of Third Avenue Civic Improvement Association, Inc., said he was pleased to be able to play host once again to one of Bay Ridge’s oldest and grandest traditions.
“Great job by Third Avenue’s own Chip Cafiero in his capacity as parade formation coordinator to ensure that today’s Annual Brooklyn’s Memorial Day Parade stepped off smoothly,” he said. “Third Avenue was transformed into a sea of red, white and blue as hundreds of marchers and spectators lining the avenue paid tribute to America’s veterans and active members of the Armed Forces on Memorial Day.”
See more photos here!
On the Avenue: Annual Kiwanis karaoke event raises funds for ailing children 
On the Avenue: Bay Ridge’s parade season in full swing