Hundreds turned out for Greenpoint?s Seventh Annual Memorial Day Parade Sunday.

The United States Navy Band played and marched in the parade. The band came to New York from Newport, Rhode Island for Fleet Week.

Parade founder Rick Kenney said the goal of the Greenpoint Memorial Day event is to teach young people the meaning of the holiday.

?This is an immigrant neighborhood. We would like to show the kids?that the military and veterans are very much part of the history of this country,? Kenney said.

A Memorial Day Mass was held after the parade to honor those who have died in war.

Organizers say this year?s event attracted twice the number of people than in its first year, 2001. Several community organizations like the Slovak Club, Knights of Columbus and the American Legion work to put on the parade every year.