The Brooklyn Canarsie Lions Annual Memorial Day Parade has been a Canarsie tradition for decades, and it was back bigger and better this year!
Members of the Canarsie community, elected officials, community organizations and activists, along with local students, paused on Saturday, May 27th, to reflect and honor the brave members of the United States military who fought – and gave their lives – for our freedom.The weather was sunny and perfect for the parade, which commenced in the parking lot of Holy Family Church, on East 98th Street and Flatlands Avenue, where walkers and those riding in a motorcade gathered at the church before heading out on the parade route. During the Coronavirus pandemic, a scaled-down version of the parade was held, and it was wonderful to see a full-blown parade again, with lots of participants.
The parade headed southbound on East 98th Street to Avenue L, turned right and headed to Remsen Avenue and then on to the Canarsie Cemetery. Everyone paused to honor our fallen heroes and to lay a wreath near the war monument in their memory.
A new addition this year, along the fence of the Canarsie Cemetery, is a beautiful tribute to many of our local fallen heroes – all who resided within Assembly District 59. A banner with a picture of each individual is proudly displayed along the fence on Remsen Avenue, and their names were recited during a touching ceremony. The banners were sponsored by Assemblywoman Jaime Williams in partnership with Millennium Development, Marine Park Alliance and Nick’s Lobster House.
The parade was held in partnership with Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, State Senator Roxanne Persaud, Assemblywomen Jaime Williams and Monique Chandler-Waterman, Councilwomen Mercedes Narcisse and Farah Louis, District Leader Frank Seddio, Millennium Development, Community Board 18, East Flatbush Village, Inc., the NYPD and FDNY.
Photos by Alessandro Marra Jr.
