Strength and solidarity were at the core of this year’s Memorial Day Weekend Parade in Forest Hills. After two year hiatus because of the pandemic, one of the city’s longest-running parades came back in full swing, honoring the brave service members who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“I love our country and I love our flag,” Queens resident Lorraine Schaeffer said. “And I’m so happy to see people of all different colors and faiths to come together and celebrate our country.”

What You Need To Know

  • The American Legion Forest Hills Memorial Day weekend parade is one of the city's oldest

  • The theme of this year's parade was "A Return to Service" to reaffirm the commitment by American Legion Post 1424 to serve veterans and the local community

  • Queens has more veterans than in any other borough with more than 55,000

Schaeffer has been coming to this parade for 57 years. Her father served in World War II and her husband in the Korean War.

“It’s remembering all those who fought and served and I’m proud that in my family, we have many people who have served,” Schaeffer said.

The theme of this year’s parade was “A Return to Service” to reaffirm the commitment by American Legion Post 1424 to serve veterans and the local community.

“For us to properly pay tribute to our veterans and to those we lost, we must make sure that we are constantly working and remembering that every day is Memorial Day,” Rep. Grace Meng said.

Before the parade kicked off on Sunday afternoon, a ceremony was held outside the American Legion. Meng honored not only fallen soldiers but also those in mourning following the two recent mass shootings.

“From the families in Ukraine and Afghanistan to the ones in Buffalo and Uvalde, we continue to pray and work for peace and security for everyone,” Meng said.

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards also vowing to do more to support veterans experiencing homelessness.

“We need to make sure that every veteran is housed, we need to make sure that they have access to mental health services. It’s not good enough to just show up today. The government must invest in veterans,” Richards said.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, nearly 40-thousand veterans are without shelter on a night.

John Daugherty, a Vietnam veteran, says therefore it’s so important to never lose sight of the true meaning of Memorial Day, “People have to realize the sacrifice that soldiers make for our freedom. So, I’m glad that they have these parades. I’m glad that they’re back.”