May 30, 2023
Story by Staff Sgt. Brandon Banzhaf
JOINT BASE MDL, New Jersey – For 156 years, the borough of Brooklyn in New York City has remembered and honored those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation with one of the oldest Memorial Day parades in the country.
Soldiers from the 174th Infantry Brigade were invited to participate in this year’s observance, May 29, 2023, at John Paul Jones Park, in partnership with the South Brooklyn Recruiting Company, New York City Recruitment Battalion.
“Whether that be working with our schools or veteran’s organizations, we see no better opportunity than Memorial Day to help memorialize the heroes of Brooklyn who have paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said 1st Lt. Kevin Locklin, a Bethlehem, Pennsylvania native and executive officer for the recruitment company. “We are fortunate to have the 174th Infantry Brigade from Fort Dix, New Jersey, with us today.”
Locklin asked the First Army team to provide some vehicles and personnel to help his team represent the Army in the parade. After the parade, children and families could climb inside the military vehicles for photo opportunities.
“We set up in the way we did because we wanted to be as engaged with the community as much as possible and hear their stories and share the stories of some of our future Soldiers that will be shipping out to basic training,” he said.
The park was the gathering place for military services representatives, veteran organizations, and Brooklyn residents, creating a sense of unity and reflection. The atmosphere shifted within the city’s usual hustle and bustle as people paused to honor and remember the fallen on this solemn day.
Engagement in the community is a priority for Locklin’s recruiting station, outside of finding recruits. He and his team have been actively participating in events like this throughout the city for the past year, and he sees it as a mutually beneficial relationship with the community.
“Whether that be working with our schools or our veteran organizations, we see no better opportunity than Memorial Day to help memorialize the heroes of Brooklyn who have paid the ultimate sacrifice,” Locklin said. “Community events are very important for us because they illustrate that recruiting is not our only mission, but also serving our community.”
Locklin and his team had their tables filled with pamphlets, brochures, and trinkets they could pass out throughout the day. When the tactical vehicles from the 174th Infantry Brigade completed the parade’s route, they parked right behind their booth.
“It felt great seeing the community really showing their appreciation to service today,” said Sgt. 1st class Jamie Belk, a Rome, New York, native and observer, coach/trainer with the 174th Infantry Brigade. “It was definitely fulfilling seeing the level of appreciation shown by this community. My cheeks actually hurt from smiling so much and waving at all these kids and families from this supportive, local community.”
Belk served as a recruiter in Michigan for three years before coming to First Army, familiarizing him with the importance of community events and fostering strong relationships between the military and the communities.
The recruiting company also asked their future Soldiers, who have performed the oath of enlistment and are awaiting to ship out to basic training, to attend and interact with the community during the parade and observance.
“I decided to join the Army mainly because of the stability,” said Ingrain Phyu, a Brooklyn, New York, native, and future combat engineer. “I was raised in a not-so-stable household. I got myself comfortable with the changes, but I do like stability. I feel that the Army, with the resources I have researched, will provide that stability, and I crave that.”
Phyu said she initially struggled to begin a conversation with a recruiter and shared some advice for those who may be feeling the same way.
“I was very introverted,” she said. “So, for someone really interested in joining the Army, don’t be scared. Ask questions and take that first step. Don’t be scared.”
After 156 years, the borough has had plenty of time to make its Memorial Day parade and observance one of the best in the area.
“The Brooklyn community is absolutely amazing,” said Locklin. “The Brooklyn Memorial Day parade is easily hands down the best Memorial Day parade in all five boroughs. We are fortunate to honor the heroes of the community that we serve.”
Observer, coach/trainers with the 174th Infantry Brigade drive their Humvees in the 156th Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade, May 29, 2023, in New York City, New York. The brigade partnered with the Southern Brooklyn Recruiting Company, New York City Recruiting Battalion, to participate in the community’s observance to honor the fallen, strengthen the military’s relationship with Brooklyn, and foster a genuine interest in enlisting in the Army. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brandon Banzhaf, 174th Infantry Brigade Public Affairs)
Staff Sgt. Paul Hernandez, a San Antonio, Texas native, and, a recruiter with the Southern Brooklyn Recruiting Company, talks with members of the Brooklyn community during the 156th Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade, May 29, 2023, in New York City, New York. Hernandez spent the day interacting with families, Brooklyn residents, and military veterans while sharing the unique opportunities the U.S. Army offers to potential recruits. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brandon Banzhaf, 174th Infantry Brigade Public Affairs)
Sgt. 1st Class Jamie Belk, an observer, coach/ trainer with the 174th Infantry Brigade, laughs while he talks with Brooklyn residents at the 156th Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade, May 29, 2023, in New York City, New York. Belk and a team of five Soldiers drove their Humvees from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, supporting the Southern Brooklyn Recruiting Company representing during the observance. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brandon Banzhaf, 174th Infantry Brigade Public Affairs)
A family in Brooklyn takes photos as they interact with a 174th Infantry Brigade’s static display that included two tactical Humvees during the 156th Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade and Observance, May 29, 2023, in New York City, New York. Soldiers participating in the Memorial Day observance allowed residents to witness firsthand the commitment and sacrifices made by service members, fostering a deeper appreciation for Soldiers’ role in protecting and serving the country. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brandon Banzhaf, 174th Infantry Brigade Public Affairs)
Staff Sgt. Darlene Hernandez, operations noncommissioned officer with the 1st Battalion, 315th Brigade Support Battalion, 174th Infantry Brigade, shares a laugh with a Brooklyn resident during the 156th Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade, May 29, 2023, in New York City, New York. Hernandez and other Soldiers engaged in conversations, shared their experiences, and addressed any questions or concerns individuals may have had about military service. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brandon Banzhaf, 174th Infantry Brigade Public Affairs)
The Veteran Corps of Artillery execute a 21-gun salute during the ceremony portion of the 156th Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade, May 29, 2023, in New York City, New York. The official ceremony included singing the National Anthem, wreath laying, flag raising, and playing taps. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brandon Banzhaf, 174th Infantry Brigade Public Affairs)
Veteran groups, civic organizations, business leaders, educational institutions, youth groups, and Brooklyn residents gathered in the John Paul Jones Park for the ceremonial portion of the 156th Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade, May 29, 2023, in New York City, New York. Brooklyn’s Memorial Day Parade is one of the nation’s oldest annual parades and has been carried on since President Lyndon Johnson named Waterloo the “birthplace” of Memorial Day in 1866. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brandon Banzhaf, 174th Infantry Brigade Public Affairs)
Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 315th Brigade Support Battalion, 174th Infantry Brigade, drive a tactical vehicle in the Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade, May 29, 2023, in New York City, New York. The brigade helped strengthen the relationship between the U.S. Army and the Brooklyn community by spending the holiday sharing stories with residents, families, and veterans while answering questions about their service. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brandon Banzhaf, 174th Infantry Brigade Public Affairs)
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