Thousands of spectators lined Bay Ridge’s Third Avenue on Monday as Brooklyn’s 159th Memorial Day Parade marched through the neighborhood, honoring fallen service members in what organizers say is the nation’s oldest continuously running Memorial Day parade. 

Veterans, marching bands, community organizations and labor unions marched through the neighborhood before gathering at John Paul Jones ark for a waterfront memorial service that included “bagpipes, flag raising, wreath laying by veteran service organizations, a 21-gun salute by the Veteran Corps of Artillery and the playing of Taps.

Spectators lined the streets for Brooklyn’s 159th Memorial Day Parade.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta

Parade Director Raymond Aalbue told Brooklyn Paper that this year’s event stood out because of its honorees, including Grand Marshals Brigadier General Michael J. Deegan and Robin Kelleher, the co-founder and CEO of Hope for the Warriors. 

“They gave really uplifting speeches,” Aalbue said.

The parade also recognized Ironworkers Local 361 and Operating Engineers Local 14-14B as deputy grand marshals, honoring the unions’ longstanding involvement with the annual event.

“Those two unions have been a part of the Memorial Day Parade for many, many years,” Aalbue said. “Unions built this country.”
Local electeds, including U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, joined the Memorial Day celebrations.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta

Despite forecasts calling for rain throughout the day, spectators still gathered along the parade route in strong numbers, Aalbue said, though turnout was slightly lower than last year’s crowd.

“The crowd was good along the parade route,” he said. “I was satisfied with that.”
Aalbue told Brooklyn Paper that the parade intends to “recognize and remember” the fallen.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta

Additional deputy grand marshals included U.S. Navy veteran and veterans’ rights advocate Joe Bello, as well as representatives connected to the Borinqueneers, the famed all-Puerto Rican 65th Infantry Regiment that served in the Korean War. 

For Aalbue, an Air Force veteran who worked for the U.S. Army as a civilian employee for 26 years before spending four years with the Veterans Administration, the parade carries deep personal meaning. He said he became involved with the event more than 35 years ago, when World War II and Korean War veterans were still leading the organization.

Council Member Kayla Santosuosso joined the march with her family.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta

“I felt that I should carry on in their footsteps,” Aalbue said. “I wanted to make sure that the people that went to war are recognized and remembered, and the people who didn’t come back from the battlefield will be remembered.”

Parade-goers of all generations lined the streets.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta

The 2026 parade marked the 159th edition of the annual tradition, with organizers already looking ahead to next year’s milestone 160th Memorial Day parade. Aalbue said, however, that every year holds equal importance.

“Every parade is important to us,” he said. “The number doesn’t have anything to do with it.”

Honoring the fallen: Bay Ridge came together for Brooklyn’s 159th Memorial Day Parade.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta Honoring the fallen: Bay Ridge came together for Brooklyn’s 159th Memorial Day Parade.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta Honoring the fallen: Bay Ridge came together for Brooklyn’s 159th Memorial Day Parade.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta Honoring the fallen: Bay Ridge came together for Brooklyn’s 159th Memorial Day Parade.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta Honoring the fallen: Bay Ridge came together for Brooklyn’s 159th Memorial Day Parade.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta Honoring the fallen: Bay Ridge came together for Brooklyn’s 159th Memorial Day Parade.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta Honoring the fallen: Bay Ridge came together for Brooklyn’s 159th Memorial Day Parade.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta Honoring the fallen: Bay Ridge came together for Brooklyn’s 159th Memorial Day Parade.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta Honoring the fallen: Bay Ridge came together for Brooklyn’s 159th Memorial Day Parade.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta Honoring the fallen: Bay Ridge came together for Brooklyn’s 159th Memorial Day Parade.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta Honoring the fallen: Bay Ridge came together for Brooklyn’s 159th Memorial Day Parade.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta