Photos | Northeast Queens honors fallen service members at 99th annual Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade - QNS

Thousands of residents and visitors gathered along Northern Boulevard for the 99th annual Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade, one of the nation’s longest-running continuous Memorial Day commemorations. The day began with an interfaith service at Zion Episcopal Church, followed by a wreath laying ceremony at Monument Park in the Divine Wisdom Schoolyard. A veterans’ continental-style breakfast took place at Father Smith Hall. Marchers lined up at 1 p.m. and a press availability occurred at 1:45 p.m. The parade started at 2 p.m. from Jayson Avenue and continued along Northern Boulevard. Veterans, active-duty service members, civic organizations, student bands, and elected officials marched to honor fallen U.S. military personnel. The grand marshal was retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Thomas Evangelos Danas, with additional parade marshals from the U.S. Marine Corps. Spectators lined the sidewalks with American flags and greeted veterans as they passed.

"Thousands of residents and visitors gathered along Northern Boulevard on Monday, May 25, for the 99th annual Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade, one of the nation's longest-running continuous Memorial Day commemorations."

"The day began with an interfaith service at Zion Episcopal Church, located at 243-01 Northern Blvd. in Douglaston, at 10 a.m., followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the Monument Park in Divine Wisdom Schoolyard at Alameda Avenue and Northern Boulevard, opposite 247th Street, at 11:15 a.m. Then, at 11:45 a.m., there was a veterans' continental-style breakfast at Father Smith Hall."

"The parade kicked off at 2 p.m. from Jayson Avenue and proceeded to Northern Boulevard, continuing its tradition that dates back to 1927. The event featured veterans, active-duty service members, civic organizations, student bands and elected officials, all marching to honor the memory of U.S. military personnel who died in service to the country."

"Spectators lined the sidewalks with American flags, many stopping to shake the hands of veterans as they passed by. Local officials assembled at designated staging areas along Northern Boulevard before joining the procession. Marching divisions included public school students, Scouts, ROTC units and representatives from religious, cultural, and neighborhood groups."

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