On the Avenue: Patriotism on parade for Memorial Day
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.