'By Vets, for Vets': A New Parade Celebrates Veterans on Eastern Parkway

A small yet energetic parade took place down Eastern Parkway this Saturday as the inaugural Brooklyn Veterans’ Appreciation Parade made its way from Rogers Avenue in Crown Heights to the Brooklyn Public Library.

This is a new parade and is different from the Veterans' Appreciation Day Parade, which will hold its fifth annual event on Nov. 4 and is organized by Community Boards 3, 8 and 16. This new parade, though, was organized by the Veterans Action Group Buffalo Soldiers of America, Inc.

One of the organizers, Taylor Barbuto, said that unlike the more noted NYC Veterans’ Parade in Manhattan on Nov. 11, Veterans’ Day, this parade is more specific and not as grandiose.

“This is by vets, for vets,” said Barbuto, whose father served in Vietnam and her brother is a Marine. “It’s a homegrown parade for those who sacrificed their lives and bodies to make our city and neighborhoods better with freedom. We appreciate them.”

The parade included a firetruck from the New York City Fire Department as a tribute to the firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11. There was also a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps from Tottenville High School, the Brooklyn United Marching Band, Boy Scouts Troop 309, and marchers from the Black Veterans for Social Justice.

James W. Hendon, commissioner at the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services, who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, participated as one of the grand marshals.

“I feel every day is Veterans’ Day,” he said. “All races, creeds, religions — anyone who took the oath gets their rose. We’re going to pay homage and honor them, show love for the folks who served, and stand with them.” 

The highlight of the parade was the Federation of Black Cowboys, who rode horses in honor of the Buffalo Soldiers: A historic group of Black servicemen who fought in many of the country’s wars, including the Civil War, the Spanish-American War and the two World Wars. 

​“They did amazing,” Barbuto said. “They fought for this country even if the country didn’t give a damn about them.”

During the parade, the sun was out, with the weather warm and calm. The Brooklyn United Marching Band danced with their instruments while marching down Eastern Parkway.

One Grand Marshal, Herbert Sweat, a Brooklyn native and Vietnam veteran, directed the other four Marshals by saying, “left-right-left, left-right-left,” much like what soldiers hear in their basic training.

“It felt good being among vets in my favorite parts of Brooklyn,” said Jose Rios, the program director of the Black Veterans for Social Justice. 

Those who stopped to watch smiled and took photos with their phones. Others saluted the veterans going by.

The parade-goers reached the Brooklyn Public Library full of energy, where there was a Veterans Resource Fair offering information around housing, employment, healthcare and other needs. 

“It was terrific to see our vets be honored,” said Kenyatta C. of the 77th Precinct Council. “There was the unity. The kids looked happy. And it was a beautiful day.”