Generally Speaking: Brooklynites march in 110th Independence Day parade

July 2, 2015 Theodore W. General

BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP/Photos by Ted General

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With snappy U.S. Air Force and NYPD Color Guards joining the line of march for Brooklyn’s 110th American Independence Day Parade, spectators were treated to an old-fashioned small-town-within-the-big-city patriotic celebration heralding the 239th birthday of America.

The city’s oldest continuous Independence Day parade was held along upper 13th Avenue, from 71st Street to 86th Street, in Dyker Heights. It was sponsored by the Long Island Assembly of the Knights of Columbus.

Among the elected officials participating were Congressmember Dan Donovan, State Senator Marty Golden and Assemblymember Peter Abbate. Riding in a fancy black convertible was 2015 Grand Marshal and Korean War U.S. Army veteran John ‘Moe’ Maloney.

BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP/Photos by Ted General

At post-parade ceremonies, Kenneth Latham, Jr., a New York State K of C official, was presented with the group’s annual Pro-Patria Award. The event also included a performance by three young ladies from the USO’s New York troupe.

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Our congratulations to Dyker Heights attorney Arthur Aidala and his law partner Marianne Bertuna, who just got engaged! Aidala was recently elected as the 100th president of the Brooklyn Bar Association, and Bertuna was installed as recording secretary at the Brooklyn Cathedral Club.

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The Society of Old Brooklynites, founded back in 1880 when Brooklyn was an independent city, held its 135th anniversary celebration at the Bay Ridge Manor. Former Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, now the vice president for borough promotion and engagement for NYC and Co. (the city’s official tourist organization) was the keynote speaker.

Newly installed society President George Broadhead presented a citation from the society to Ron Schweiger, the past president and the borough’s official historian. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams sent the group a proclamation hailing its 135th anniversary and its longtime service to Brooklyn.