BAY RIDGE — The United Military Veterans of Kings County held their 12th annual fundraiser several weeks before Brooklyn’s Memorial Day Parade at the Salty Dog (7509 Third Avenue), drawing hundreds throughout the seven-hour affair.

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.

For a $20 donation, spectators were treated to six bands beginning at 1 p.m. with Whippoorwill, followed by Sha-Doobie, the Canny Brothers, Rock Farm and Head ‘n’ South. At 6 p.m., Catnip concluded the musical festivities.

Raymond Aalbue, chairman of the Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade and executive director of the United Military Veterans of Kings County (sponsor of the Memorial Day Parade), explained that this event is a perfect vehicle for bringing the community and veterans together.

“It’s a wonderful thing,” said Aalbue, adding that every year, the community looks forward to this. 

“Of course, every organization has to have fundraisers, as it costs money to run whatever it is that you are doing,” he said. “That includes the Memorial Day Parade.”

While Aalbue did not specify an exact amount, he did say that the event is “a major push for us and for the parade.”  

Aalbue, an Air Force veteran and a Bay Ridge local, has been involved with the Memorial Day Parade for over 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 over 150 years and honors more than 50,000 veterans who call Brooklyn home.

Brooklyn’s 157th Memorial Day Parade, set for May 27 and stepping off promptly at 11 a.m. on Third Avenue and 78th Street to proceed 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. 

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