New Yorkers pay tribute to troops who made the ultimate sacrifice with Memorial Day festivities

1 of 18 Veterans, active duty members of the armed forces unfurl a giant American flag on the deck of the Intrepid. [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/veterans-active-duty-members-armed-105362347.jpg?w=1024] Veterans, active duty members of the armed forces unfurl a giant American flag on the deck of the Intrepid. Michael Nagle 2 of 18 [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/lindsey-pauley-left-blake-pauley-105362326.jpg?w=1024] Lindsey Pauley, left, Blake Pauley, Lt. Commander, right, and their son Emerson, 4, of Virginia Beach, at the Intrepid. Michael Nagle 3 of 18 [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/people-play-beach-coney-island-105363233.jpg?w=1024] People play on the beach on Coney Island in Brooklyn. AFP via Getty Images 4 of 18 [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/carlos-varon-patriot-guard-riders-105312126.jpg?w=1024] Carlos Varon, of the Patriot Guard Riders of NY, rides through Cypress Hills National Cemetery after a Memorial Day commemoration ceremony. Michael Nagle 5 of 18 [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/don-hellmers-commander-ny-detachment-105312079.jpg?w=1024] Don Hellmers, commander of the NY Detachment of the Sons of the American Legion, left, and Peter DeAngelis, fire a salute. Michael Nagle 6 of 18 [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/willie-bennett-vice-commander-kings-105312080.jpg?w=1024] Willie Bennett, vice commander of the Kings County American Legion, left, and Raymond Wrigley, commander of the Kings County American Legion. Michael Nagle 7 of 18 [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/visitors-inspect-antique-rifles-booth-105362330.jpg?w=1024] Visitors inspect antique rifles at a booth during the annual Memorial Day commemoration ceremony at the Intrepid Museum. Michael Nagle 8 of 18 [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/2025-intrepid-museum-memorial-day-105368433.jpg?w=1024] ZUMAPRESS.com 9 of 18 [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/u-s-coast-guard-divers-105362315.jpg?w=1024] U.S. Coast Guard Divers during the annual Memorial Day commemoration ceremony at the Intrepid. Michael Nagle 10 of 18 [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/giant-flag-united-states-carried-105363848.jpg?w=1024] A giant flag of the United States is carried during the 158th Memorial Day Parade, in the borough of Brooklyn. REUTERS 11 of 18 [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/veteran-sergey-bekker-54-served-105363831.jpg?w=1024] Veteran Sergey Bekker, 54, who served in the 101st Airborne Division, looks at tributes left to killed service members. REUTERS 12 of 18 [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/american-civil-war-re-enactor-105363594.jpg?w=1024] An American Civil War re-enactor uses their phone after the 158th Memorial Day Parade. REUTERS 13 of 18 [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/members-junior-reserve-officers-training-105363748.jpg?w=1024] Members of the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. REUTERS 14 of 18 [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/2025-cassie-donegan-158th-memorial-105363631.jpg?w=1024] A person takes photographs of children stood next to a car with Miss Five Boroughs 2025, Cassie Donegan. REUTERS 15 of 18 [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/spectators-watch-158th-memorial-day-105363749.jpg?w=1024] Spectators watch the 158th Memorial Day Parade, in the borough of Brooklyn. REUTERS 16 of 18 [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/people-enjoy-beach-memorial-day-105368261.jpg?w=1024] People enjoy the beach on Memorial Day at Coney Island Beach. REUTERS 17 of 18 [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/person-super-mario-costume-drives-105368197.jpg?w=1024] A person in a Super Mario costume drives through Times Square on Memorial Day. Michael Nagle 18 of 18 [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/guests-attend-memorial-day-commemoration-105312088.jpg?w=1024] Graves of soldiers are seen through an American flag at Cypress HiIls National Cemetery in Brooklyn. Michael Nagle