Memorial Day was marked with parades and solemn ceremonies in the New York City area Monday, which was also the final day of Fleet Week. 

It followed two spectacular days at the FourLeaf Air Show at Jones Beach on Long Island. The weather held out as huge crowds descended onto the shore to watch the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds in action.

• More: See which stores are open and closed for Memorial Day

Memorial Day ceremony at the Intrepid Museum  

Monday marked the conclusion of New York City Fleet Week, when visiting Navy ships open to the public for tours, with numerous opportunities to meet members of the sea services and see the latest capabilities of America's maritime services. 

A crowd gathered at the Intrepid Museum for the annual unfurling of the American flag at Pier 86 in Manhattan, followed by the laying of four ceremonial wreaths in the Hudson River, the playing "Echo Taps," a three-volley rifle salute and a Navy jet flyover. 

Michael Horvath, 93, who served on the USS Intrepid seven decades ago, attended the ceremony this year. 

"I was on it in 1952. It was out of commission at the time, and we put it in commission to take it from California, through the canal up to Virginia," he said. 

"Through it all, our flag is still here. Our flag is here because of the men and women of our military service," Mayor Eric Adams said. 

Visitors were also invited to take part in free military demonstrations with the Army, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

In addition to the Intrepid Museum's Memorial Day ceremonies, a U.S. Coast Guard search and rescue demonstration was held at Pier 86, plus there were public ship tours at the Staten Island Homeport Pier.

The Intrepid Museum was open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Memorial Day. 

Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade

Crowds formed early for Bay Ridge, Brooklyn's 158th Memorial Day Parade. Veterans, their families and the community lined the streets to reflect and honor fallen service members. 

The parade, a beloved tradition, started at 11 a.m. on Third Avenue and 78th Street, before marching to Marine Avenue and up to Fourth Avenue. 

This year's grand marshal was Major General Kris Belanger of the 99th Readiness Division, who has served 35 years in the U.S. military.

"It is a truly somber day, but it also is a day for us to reflect and be thankful for our freedom," she said. 

Vietnam War veterans Lenny Deutsch and Steve Miller said they don't want the meaning of Memorial Day to ever be forgotten. 

"It's not a shopping day. It's a remembrance day," Miller said. 

"It's a dedication to the people who lost their lives, gave their lives for our country. So it's meaningful," Deutsch said. 

A 21-gun salute honored the fallen in a somber ceremony after the parade at John Paul Jones Park. 

List of Memorial Day parades in NYC area

Like last year, plenty more Memorial Day parades and events were held across the New York City area, including in Brooklyn, Queens, Yonkers and Freeport. 

Here's a list of parades in the city and northern suburbs:

• Maspeth Memorial Day Parade from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday along 69th Street in Maspeth, Queens
• Forest Hills Memorial Day Weekend Parade from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday on Metropolitan Avenue from the American Legion Post to Colonel Remsen Cemetery in Forest Hills, Queens
• College Point Memorial Day Parade at 12 p.m. Sunday along 14th Road in College Point, Queens
• Village of Hastings on the Hudson Memorial Day Parade and ceremony at 12 p.m. Sunday on Warburton Avenue in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York
• Town of Pelham Memorial Day Parade at 9 a.m. Monday along Fifth Avenue in Pelham, New York
• Crestwood Memorial Day Parade and ceremony at 9:15 a.m. Monday on Vermont Terrace in Yonkers, New York
• Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Day Observance at 10 a.m. Monday at the Soldiers' and Sailors Monument on Riverside Drive in Manhattan
• Village of Irvington Memorial Day Parade and wreath-laying ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday at the Main Street Irvington Veterans Memorial in Irvington, New York
• Ridgewood/Glendale Memorial Day Parade at 11 a.m. Monday at Myrtle and Cypress avenues in Glendale, Queens
• United Military Veterans of Kings County Memorial Day Parade from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday on Third Avenue in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
• Staten Island Memorial Day Parade and ceremony from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday at the Marine Corps League Det. 246 and various locations around the borough
• Leonard H. Hawkins American Legion Post 156 Memorial Day Parade and ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Monday along City Island Avenue in the Bronx.