Brooklyn’s Memorial Day Parade Takes Over Bay Ridge For A Day (PHOTOS)

Todd Maisel -
The Navy is well represented at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade. Todd Maisel/Bklyner

Brooklyn’s 152nd Memorial Day Parade stepped off on Monday, Memorial Day on 3rd Ave. & 78th St. led by former NY State Senator and retired police officer Marty Golden as the Grand Marshal.

Former State Senator Marty Golden was the grand marshal at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade. Todd Maisel/Bklyner

The American Legion also celebrated 100 years of service to veterans and the community and served as Deputy Grand Marshal.

Special guests included the Veterans Corps of Artillery, Hope for the Warriors and special guest the 369th Harlem Hellfighters Marching Band – many from black colleges from throughout the country.

Among some of the groups that attended included the Fort Hamilton High School marching band, FDR High School band, and twirlers, Boy and Girl Scout Troops, numerous political leaders led by Borough President Eric Adams.

Bishop Kearney High School marching band makes this their last time as a high school marching at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade. Todd Maisel/Bklyner

Most notable was the presence of the Bishop Kearney Marching Band, making their final appearance as the school is slated to close after the summer session.

One alumni association member said he was disappointed by the school’s last-minute decision “based on money only,” and letting the students know at the last minute. But he was proud of the young girls who marched with the band for what appears to be the last time.

The Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge had representatives from past wars, veterans and many others showing their colors. Todd Maisel/Bklyner

Golden said he was proud to lead this year’s parade.

“I’m here for those fought for our great nation, those who left from Fort Hamilton army base and those who lived here in our community and those who live across the country – more than a million men and women gave their lives for this great country,” Golden said as he marched along Third Avenue. “I’m proud of them and proud of those who continue to protect us every day.”

A memorial service was held at the Cannonball park immediately after the parade that included bagpipes, laying of wreaths by Veteran Service Organizations, raising of our nations flag, a 21-gun salute by the Veteran Corps of Artillery, taps by two members of the Fort Hamilton Marching Regiment and a performance by the 369th Harlen Hellfighters.

The 369th Harlem Hellfighters Band plays for the Bay Ridge crowds. The Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge had representatives from past wars, veterans and many others showing their colors.
The 369th Harlem Hellfighters Band plays for the Bay Ridge crowds. The Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge had representatives from past wars, veterans and many others showing their colors.
Motorcycle clubs, many with veterans lead the parade.
The military honor guard carries the flags at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade.
The Navy is well represented at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade.
The Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge had representatives from past wars, veterans and many others showing their colors.
Children sit on the side of Third Avenue waving flags at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade.
The 369th Harlem Hellfighters Band plays for the Bay Ridge crowds. The Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge had representatives from past wars, veterans and many others showing their colors.
Former State Senator Marty Golden was the grand marshal at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade.
Emily Ming, 3, with grandmother Li,and her dolly at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade.
The Korean War Veterans show their pride at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade.
The Korean War Veterans show their pride at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade.
Military cadets march proudly at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade.
The Fort Hamilton High School marching band shows their pride at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade.
The Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge had representatives from past wars, veterans and many others showing their colors.
The Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge had representatives from past wars, veterans and many others showing their colors.
The Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge had representatives from past wars, veterans and many others showing their colors.
The Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge had representatives from past wars, veterans and many others showing their colors.
Vietnam Veterans wave proudly to the crowds at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade.
The Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge had representatives from past wars, veterans and many others showing their colors.
Pipes and drums show their pride at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade.
The Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge had representatives from past wars, veterans and many others showing their colors.
Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis waves to the crowd at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade.
The Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge had representatives from past wars, veterans and many others showing their colors.
The Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge had representatives from past wars, veterans and many others showing their colors.
The Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge had representatives from past wars, veterans and many others showing their colors.
The Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge had representatives from past wars, veterans and many others showing their colors.
The Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge had representatives from past wars, veterans and many others showing their colors.
Motorcycle clubs get together for the parade. They are (l-r) Crazy Tony, “Nobody”, and Big Jim
Borough president Eric Adams waves to crowd at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade.
Tina Colucci with daughter Annabella are joined by WWI re-enactor Marc Hermann at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade.
The Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge had representatives from past wars, veterans and many others showing their colors.
Ready to ride to honor veterans are (l-r) Joe Puccio, Steve Emanule, Vinnie LoBello and Steve Schulze, a veteran of the Air force.
The 369th Harlem Hellfighters Band plays for the Bay Ridge crowds. The Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge had representatives from past wars, veterans and many others showing their colors.
The Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge had representatives from past wars, veterans and many others showing their colors.
The Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge had representatives from past wars, veterans and many others showing their colors.
The American Legion marches proudly at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade
Two young Miss Italia New York wave to the crowd. They (l-r) Grace Morgan and Alexa Pitbin at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade
Mark Hermann, left marches proudly with others in World War I garb at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade.
The Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge had representatives from past wars, veterans and many others showing their colors.
Osin and Orla Fogarty, 5 & 3, wave flags at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade.
Kris Norris with her children Aiden, 5, and Liam 5, at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade.
The Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge had representatives from past wars, veterans and many others showing their colors.
The Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge had representatives from past wars, veterans and many others showing their colors.
The Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge had representatives from past wars, veterans and many others showing their colors.
Bishop Kearney High School marching band makes this their last time as a high school marching at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade.
The Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge had representatives from past wars, veterans and many others showing their colors.
Flynt Zoleto, 4, with mom Jane of Floral Park, enjoy the parade from a float.
Mike Long, chairman of the Conservative Party and Bay Ridge leader, shows his pride at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade.
Bishop Kearney High School marching band makes this their last time as a high school marching at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade.
The Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge had representatives from past wars, veterans and many others showing their colors.
Cyclones rooster is a favorite with the kids at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade.
Bay Ridge kids show the flags at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade.
Watching the parade is (l-r) Anna Kastrinos, Eleni Kapnisokis, Olivia Quaglion and sister Natalie and Ellie Kapnisokis.
Tina the poodle wears fancy red, white and blue hat.
Retired firefighters show their colors at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade.
The Memorial Day parade in Bay Ridge had representatives from past wars, veterans and many others showing their colors.
Girl scouts show their pride at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade.

The parade capped a full weekend of events including Marine Day in Prospect Park, flyovers by Airforce jets and a wreath-laying ceremony at the aircraft carrier the Intrepid on Manhattan’s Westside.

All images in this story by Todd Maisel for Bklyner.