The grand marshal is named for Brooklyn’s 151st annual Memorial Day parade

This parade is 151 years young.

Lieutenant General Robert Caslen was announced as the grand marshal for Brooklyn’s 151st annual Memorial Day parade. Caslen, the superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point, is a highly decorated soldier. The three deputy marshals are all veterans from Brooklyn — Korean War vets George Broadhead and Thomas Trombone, and Vietnam War vet Barry Berger.

The parade, which is occurring on May 28, begins at 11 a.m. at Third Avenue and 78th Street, ending at John Paul Jones Park at 101st Street and Fourth Avenue, with a memorial service honoring fallen soldiers. The service includes bagpipes, cannon fire, taps and a 21-gun salute by the Veteran Corps of Artillery, New York state’s oldest military unit.

“It is an emotional ceremony, one that drives home the solemnity of the day. Sure we have barbecues and some people go shopping and that’s okay. But all we ask people to do is to take some time out of their day to remember the terrible price so many Americans had to pay for our freedom. And we must remember their families,” said Connie Ranocchia, vice president for the parade. “We hope there’s a big turnout along the route and everyone joins us in Cannonball Park for our memorial service. It’s really impressive.”