This is a side of Brooklyn you’ve never seen on television or in the movies. Here, in the southwestern corner of the borough, in the shadow of the Verrazzano-Narrows bridge, is a place bursting with patriotism and pride.
Today, in this location, there are no wiseguys, gangstas, hipsters or poseurs. No protestors or dissenters, either. Those who crowd the streets and the park have all come for what is known as “the longest-running continuous Memorial Day parade in the United States.”
For the 140th year, those who came to the Bay Ridge Memorial Day parade marched, watched, cheered and waved their flags. They listened to accounts of battles gone by, sacrifices made and lives lost. They wore their uniforms, patches, ribbons and medals, embraced old friends and, quietly, unashamedly wiped away their tears.
On this sunny day, a normally-busy section of the city that never sleeps stopped, stood at attention and remembered. And on Memorial Day in Bay Ridge, no “designer” label could ever equal the status of an ordinary Broooklynite clad in red, white and blue.
Good Fellas Barber Shop
Originally uploaded by annulla.
Kelly’s Tavern with bunting
Originally uploaded by annulla.
Couple paying respects
Originally uploaded by annulla.
Rolling Thunder motorcycle
Originally uploaded by annulla.
Rolling Thunder
Originally uploaded by annulla.
Quartet of Scouts
Originally uploaded by annulla.
Girl Scouts
Originally uploaded by annulla.
Group of Scouts
Originally uploaded by annulla.
Veterans & granddaughter
Originally uploaded by annulla.
Members of the American Legion
Originally uploaded by annulla.
Lady in a yellow suit
Originally uploaded by annulla.
Member of Rolling Thunder
Originally uploaded by annulla.
Scoutmaster
Originally uploaded by annulla.
Boy Scouts
Originally uploaded by annulla.
Friends in uniform
Originally uploaded by annulla.
Family group
Originally uploaded by annulla.
Scout & Mom
Originally uploaded by annulla.
Vet with helmet & flag
Originally uploaded by annulla.
Rolling Thunder pair
Originally uploaded by annulla.
Women with flags
Originally uploaded by annulla.
Courier-Life: Brooklyn celebrates Memorial Day ‘07
NYC Dept of Parks & Recreation: This Memorial Day Weekend
Bay Ridge Blog
Blather From Brooklyn 
You know, these pictures and your commentary just made me feel good. It put a spark of hope inside. Well done and thanks.
LikeLike
A wonderful post! Really good photos of a bunch of great Americans.
LikeLike
This is really beautiful to see. Thank you for sharing this day and your images with us
LikeLike
beautiful post…….and great pics to go along… …
LikeLike
I used to work in downtown Brooklyn many years ago and one of my coworkers lived in Bay Ridge. We went to dinner at a really nice Italian restaurant near the Century 21 store there. Also, there is a really good Austrian restaurant across the street from BAM.
LikeLike
all the ps2 games
Really nice site you have here. I’ve been reading for a while but this post made me want to say 2 thumbs up. Keep up the great work.
LikeLike