Photos: Sheepshead Bay Memorial Day Honors Men And Women In Uniform

The Sheepshead Bay / Plumb Beach Civic Association held its annual Memorial Day and Armed Forces Day Parade on Saturday, drawing scores of neighbors to watch antique automobiles, local veterans and school kids honor the men and women of the nation’s armed forces.

Like other Memorial Day observances, the event remembers the local heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice serving and protecting our nation. But SBPB Civic’s event falls on Armed Forces Day, a lesser known holiday to honor Americans serving in the five U.S. military branches, making the parade an opportunity to honor those past and present.

A battalion of vehicles from the Baron DeKalb Knights on Bikes and the Antique Automobile Association of Brooklyn led the procession down Emmons Avenue, from Ocean Avenue to the veteran’s memorial at Brown Street. They were followed by the Fort Hamilton High School Junior ROTC and the Bishop Kearney High School band, along with the NYPD Auxiliary Ceremonial Marching Unit and the Marine Corps League Color Guard, among others.

The procession stopped just before Driscoll Tucker Park at East 27th Street, where taps was performed and ceremonial flags flown, while SBPB Civic President Kathy Flynn tossed flowers in the water to honor the fallen.

The event honored several living local veterans who served in conflicts as far back as World War II. Six local students were also recognized for writing award-winning essays and art pieces about Memorial Day.