Drums and heavy footsteps thundered through Crown Heights and Bed-Stuy on Saturday to celebrate and honor those who served our country.

The fifth annual Veterans Appreciation Day Parade brought together local veterans, active military and supporters. 

The parade ended at Restoration Plaza with a ceremony and a resource fair to connect local veterans to services like housing and mental health counseling. 

According to city data, more than 37,000 veterans live in Brooklyn, making it the borough with the second largest population of veterans across the city, next to Queens. 

"Anybody can be an ally to veterans today, whether you want to participate in a clothing drive, whether you want to participate in a job fair, it only takes a little bit of time, a little bit of love and a lot of empathy," said Gregory Williams, one of the parade's Grand Marshals.