Ahead of Veterans’ Day, the Brooklyn community celebrated veterans and their families on Saturday, Nov. 1, with a parade, resource fair, and honor ceremony.
The 7th Annual Celebration was part of the Veterans’ Appreciation Day Parade and Resource Fair, established to celebrate the families of Brownsville, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Crown Heights, and East New York, where community members have a long history of military and first responder services.
The event organizers outlined three parts: a festive community parade, and, at its conclusion, an interactive and informative resource fair where community members could obtain information on careers, food insecurity programs, legal services, housing resources, veterans’ services, wellness, and more, as well as an honor ceremony.
With even more local groups participating this year, Community Board 3, 8, and 16 Veterans’ Committees joined forces with local veterans’ groups to recognize local and all veterans for their service and commitment to uplifting the community at large.
The parade – which began at Bright Light Baptist Church in Brownsville, at Park Place, between Howard and Ralph Avenues – culminated with the resource fair and appreciation ceremony at P.S. 93 William H. Prescott, 31 New York Ave.
The marching groups and bands comprised:
Blue Angel’s Music & Arts Program Marching Band; Dorie Miller American Legion Post 213; D.R.U.M. (Developing Righteous United Movements) FDNY; Friends4Veterans Float; Hydra, MC; Ice Cold Performing Arts; JROTC – Port Richmond H.S.; JROTC – John Dewey H.S. MANUP; National Association of Black Military Women, NYC & Brooklyn Chapter; New Beginnings Drum & Bugle; NYC Department of Veterans’ Services; NYC MTA Veterans Employee Resource Group; NYPD Community Affairs Officers; and NYS Department of Veterans’ Services Mobile Unit.
The others were: SAR FLAG; Steel Horses, MC; Temple Guard; The Empire Marching Elite Band (TEME) Trouble Makers, MC; UPC Drumline; U.S. Army New York City Recruiting Battalion Color Guard; U.S. Army New York City Recruiting Battalion, Brooklyn South Company; Victory Music & Dance Company, Inc.; and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 32.
Grand Marshals, who were honored with citations and proclamations – from Democratic U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader; Sen. Zellnor Y. Myrie, representative for the 20th Assembly District; Sandy Nurse, Council Member, 37th District; and New York State Assembly Member Stefani L. Zinerman, who represents Brooklyn’s 56th Assembly District, encompassing Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights – were: US Army NYC Recruiting Battalion Commander, Lt. Colonel Oliver Karp; Major (Ret.) Tracee Y. Millard, Esq.; Master Sergeant (Ret.) Angela Roberts; and veterans Rev. Dr. Roberts Williams, Anthony Cochran, Andrew Walcott, Wishart Smith, Bennie Salley, and Tiara T. Mitchell.
In delivering the featured address during the honor ceremony, Major Millard said: “Today, we gather to honor all who have worn the uniform of the United States — those who have stood watch over freedom, borne the weight of duty, and answered the call when our nation needed them most.
“Veterans Day is a moment of reflection and gratitude — a reminder that freedom is never free. It is earned, preserved, and protected by those willing to serve,” she said. “But today, I want to draw special attention to a group of Americans whose service often goes unrecognized — the Citizen‑Servicemembers of our nation’s Reserve Components across all uniformed services.”
Major Millard said the phrase “Twice the Citizen” was adopted as the motto of the U.S. Army Reserve.
“It reflects something profound: service in uniform and service in our communities,” she said, stating that Citizen‑Servicemembers are teachers, nurses, engineers, firefighters, EMTs, public servants, scientists, lawyers, students, and neighbors.
“They wear uniforms on drill weekends, then return to classrooms, hospitals, courtrooms, police precincts, laboratories, offices, and small businesses on Monday morning,” she added. “This legacy extends beyond the Army Reserve to include: Army Reserve; Navy Reserve; Marine Corps Reserve; Air Force Reserve; Space Force Reserve (emerging); Coast Guard Reserve; Army National Guard & Air National Guard; and U.S. Public Health Service Ready Reserve Corps.”
Major Millard said while the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Commissioned Officer Corps does not have a reserve element, NOAA officers also serve in uniform, safeguarding maritime security, aviation weather intelligence, scientific operations, and national emergency response.
“Together, they embody the ideal of the Citizen‑Servicemember — answering the call of both community and nation,” she said. “Every Citizen‑Servicemember who raises their right hand, swears the oath, and trains to defend this nation is a veteran in spirit and in sacrifice.
“They have given America something priceless — their time, their talent, and their readiness to serve,” Major Millard added. “On this Veterans Day, let us not only thank those who served on active duty, but also those who serve quietly and faithfully in our reserve formations and uniformed services.”
Dr. Cleopatra Brown, chairperson, Veterans Affairs Committee, Community Board 16, told Caribbean Life afterwards that the Veterans Appreciation Parade and Resource Fair is “a cornerstone annual event that serves a dual purpose: to publicly recognize the service and sacrifice of our veterans, and to provide them with direct access to vital resources that support their well-being.
“The parade is a vibrant display of community gratitude, bringing together color guards, military units, marching bands, JROTC cadets, and civic organizations,” she said. “This collective tribute reinforces the legacy of service, fostering pride, unity, and a deep sense of belonging among those who have served.”
Following the parade, Dr. Brown said the Resource Fair provided veterans and their families with a “one-stop opportunity to meet with VA (Veterans Affairs) representatives and representatives from veteran service organizations.
“Many veterans are unaware of the full range of benefits available to them,” she said. “This outreach helps bridge that gap and ensures our heroes receive not only recognition, but the tools they need to succeed.
“Together, the parade and resource fair reflect our community’s enduring commitment to those who have defended our freedoms,” Dr. Brown added.
