In remembering and honoring those that made the ultimate sacrifice, the Brooklyn Canarsie Lions on Monday held their annual Memorial Day Parade.

Several local elected officials, some of whom are members of the Lions Club, participated in the parade. They included Congressman Hakeem Jeffries; New York State Sen. Roxanne Persaud; Assemblywomen Jaime Williams and Monique Chandler-Waterman; Councilwoman Farah N. Louis; Debbie Louis, the Brooklyn Regional Representative for New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul; and District Leader Sue Ann Partnow.

The parade – which started at 10:00 a.m., at the Holy Family Church’s parking lot, East 98th Street and Flatlands Avenue – proceeded to Remsen Avenue and Avenue L, at the Canarsie Cemetery. There, a wreath was laid to honor America’s fallen heroes.

Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Council Member Farah N. Louis, center, and Dr. Jean Joseph. Photo courtesy Dr. Jean Joseph

“It was a great success,” Dr. Jean Joseph, president of the Brooklyn Canarsie Lions Club, told Caribbean Life afterwards. “We’ve taken it to the next level, where we had elected officials, including Congressman Jeffries, a member of the Brooklyn Canarsie Lions Club, and others.

“I’m so pleased about this,” added Dominican Dr. Joseph, a certified public accountant, stating that more than 200 people participated in the event, including The Stuy Park Lions and Brooklyn Midwood Lions, as well as the Girls Scouts and students from several area schools.

“I am filled with pride as I stand alongside my esteemed colleagues in government participating in the Brooklyn Canarsie Lions Memorial Day Parade,” said Louis, the daughter of Haitian and Bahamian immigrants. “Together, we gathered to pay tribute and solemnly remember the courageous men and women who selflessly gave their lives to safeguard our freedom and security.

“It is truly an honor to join our community in this commemoration, expressing our deepest gratitude and reverence towards our national and hometown heroes,” added the representative for the 45th Council District in Brooklyn.