The nation’s oldest annual Memorial Day Parade marched through Brooklyn on Monday and ended with a memorial service in John Paul Jones Park.
The event was hosted by the United Military Veterans of Kings County. Two members of the American Gold Star Mothers, who lost their children in war, served as grand marshals. All veterans were invited to participate.
Veterans conducted a number of traditional ceremonies, such as a 21-gun salute, and sung traditional songs, such as God Bless the USA, which brought tears to the eyes of veteran Jack Vanasco.
He thought of his three brothers who served with him in World War II and his childhood friends from Brooklyn, some of whom never made it back home.
“They passed away and fought for our country,” said Vanasco. “[It] was mostly all young boys.”
Those who were wounded in action were also commemorated.
The Kings County Memorial Day Parade has been running for 147 years.
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