By Raymond P. Aalbue
Special to Brooklyn Daily Eagle

BAY RIDGE — The oldest continuously run Memorial Day Parade in the nation will kick off in Bay Ridge at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 25.

The parade is 142 years old. It originally took place on Eastern Parkway, but it has been held in Bay Ridge for the past 18 years.

The route of the parade travels along Third Avenue to Marine Avenue up to Fourth Avenue. It then ends in John Paul Jones Park on 101st Street and Fourth Avenue. Immediately following the parade, there will be a ceremony in the park to honor those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

Parade Chairman Prisco DeAngelis said, “This year the executive committee chose Afghanistan and Iraq service members to lead the parade as our grand marshals. It is only fitting they lead a parade to honor those who have lost their lives in defense of our country.�

The grand marshals are Army Spec. Nick Mosby, who is stationed at Fort Hamilton and served in Iraq from 2005 to 2006; and several wounded service members from Hope for the Warriors, a non-profit organization that tends to the needs of those disabled in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The deputy grand marshal is Auxiliary Chief Tony Christo, commander of the Brooklyn South Auxiliary Police. State Sen. Marty Golden, City Councilman Vincent Gentile and Borough President Marty Markowitz are honorary grand marshals. The reviewing officer is Col. Stephen Smith, commander of the U.S. Army Garrison at Fort Hamilton; and the Memorial Day speaker is Marine veteran Connie Ranocchia, representing Women’s Veterans of America.

Participants will include all veteran organizations in Brooklyn as well as the NYPD, the FDNY, the Parks Department, several union groups, civic organizations, the Boy and Girl Scouts and more.

The NYPD Auxiliary Marching Band and many Brooklyn high school bands, including the Fort Hamilton Marching Regiment, will be in the line of march. The Xaverian Band and the NYPD Auxiliary Band will provide music during the ceremony in the park.

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