GREENWOOD HEIGHTS — Make no mistake about it: Brooklyn’s Memorial Day Parade, slated to take place on May 27, is a herculean undertaking. Acknowledged to be the oldest extant Memorial Day Parade in the U.S., Brooklyn’s first Memorial Day Parade took place in 1867, according to the parade committee.

That said, it may be hard to believe that the catalyst for said procession is only a handful of humans — a mere six board/committee members.

“This is it,” parade President Connie Ranocchia told the Brooklyn Eagle. “We would certainly love to have other people helping us out and ultimately be part of our board. We started out with 20, but there are only a handful of us now.” 

Currently, the board includes Raymond Aalbue, parade chairman and executive director of the United Military Veterans of Kings County; Cary Spickler, the parade’s vice president; Irene Berger, parade communications director; Ted General, public relations director; Peter DeAngelis, chairman emeritus; and Ranocchia.

In spite of the group’s small numbers, the show must go on. And as the great Benjamin Franklin once said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” 

And planning was indeed in full effect Tuesday, as an intimate group of approximately 20 came together to do a literal dry run, review parade logistics, and, essentially, make sure all the i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed with regard to the 157th annual event.

The one-hour meeting was held at Greenwood Park, located at 555 Seventh Avenue, and comprised parade board/committee members and a number of organizations and supporters, including representatives from the American Legion, Hope for the Warriors, the Society of Old Brooklynites, the Girls Scouts, Iron Workers, and others. 

It was revealed that the parade’s grand marshal will be Brigadier General Dean Thompson, commanding general of the 353rd Civil Affairs Command. Deputy marshals include Vincent Sampieri and Peter DeAngelis, New York Detachment Commander. Reviewing officers will be Colonial Brian Jacobs and Command Sergeant Major Christopher Hill.

The 2024 Lead Veteran Service Organization is slated to be the Catholic War Veterans, and special guests for 2024 include the Veteran Corps of Artillery and Hope for the Warriors.

The parade will consist of five floats and thousands of marchers, including eight bands in addition to a number of contributing organizations, such as members and posts of the American Legion, the Bay Ridge Democrats, Merchants of Third Avenue, Brooklyn South Conservative Party, Kings County Republican Party, members of the FDNY and NYPD, Boy and Girl Scout Troops, Bensonhurst Volunteer Ambulance Corps Veterans, BRAVO Volunteer Ambulance Service, and others. 

“Things have been moving along nicely, and we are very optimistic,” said Aalbue. “We had a really great fundraiser at the Salty Dog last month; we worked our butts off, but it was well worth the effort.” 

The benefit raised money for the United Military Veterans of Kings County, which organizes the procession and serves as the official kickoff of parade season.

Aalbue, who is an Air Force veteran and a Bay Ridge local, has been involved with the Memorial Day Parade for more than 30 years.

“This is where I grew up; this is my home,” he said. 

The Kings County Memorial Day Parade has been a Brooklyn tradition for more than 150 years and honors more than 50,000 veterans who call Brooklyn home.

“It will be a very emotional and memorable service,” Aalbue said.  

Brooklyn’s 157th Memorial Day Parade will step off promptly at 11 a.m. on Third Avenue and 78th Street, and proceeding down Third Avenue to Marine up to Fourth Avenue, and over to John Paul Jones Park for a memorial service that will include bagpipes, flag raising, wreath laying, and a 21-gun salute by the Veteran Corps of Artillery: the oldest New York State military unit.