When the coronavirus put a halt to the traditional Memorial Day Ceremony on Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary, which generally draws crowds of more than 1,000 people, members of the Veterans Council of Indian River County opted to film a downsized – but no less moving – version at Young Park a few days earlier for online public viewing.
“The whole purpose of the event was to recognize the fallen,” said retired U.S. Air Force Col. Marty Zickert. “We did that with the bagpiper, the bugler, the honor guard, the rifle volley, the wreath, the battle cross, the chance to honor Gold Star families.”
The ceremony may be viewed on the Veterans Council website veteranscouncilirc.club or on its Facebook page.
Photos by: Brenda Ahearn
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- Professional Bagpiper Michael Hyde warms up before the start of the Memorial Day ceremony at Young Park on Thursday, May 21, in Vero Beach. Above him hangs a massive American flag which was brought and displayed by the Indian River County Fire and Rescue department. This year is only the second time in 56 years when Memorial Day has not been held at the Veterans Island Sanctuary, the other time it was moved on account of Rain. According to retired U.S. Air Force Col. Mary Zickert a typical Memorial Day ceremony will draw between 1,500 and 2,000 attendees. “The virus preclude having anything on the island this year. There is no way you can put 2,000 people out there and observe social distancing,” said Zickert. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Staff Sgt. Eldon Peterson, a recruiter with the U.S. Army carries a wreath to be placed honoring those who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. military during the Memorial Day ceremony at Young Park on Thursday, May 21. The ceremony was filmed and will be shared with the public via the Veteran’s Council of Indian River County website and facebook page on Monday, May 25. Following the ceremony on Thursday, retired Col. Marty Zickert took the wreath out to the Veterans Island Sanctuary. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Vero Beach Mayor Tony Young speaks at the Memorial Day ceremony at Young Park on Thursday, May 21. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Angela Kenny sings a song she wrote called “Not One Has Died In Vain” during the Memorial Day ceremony at Young Park on Thursday, May 21. The event was filmed and will be shared online and on social media via the Veteran’s Council on Monday, May 25. “I thought it went extremely well,” said retired Air Force Col. Marty Zickert. “The whole purpose of the event, was to recognize the fallen. We did that with the bagpiper, the bugler, the honor guard, the rifle volley, the wreath, the battle cross, the chance to honor Gold Star families. There was such great cooperation to bring this together. I don’t know that I would have done anything differently.” Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- John Michael Matthews, U.S. Marine Corps, salutes during the Memorial Day ceremony at Young Park on Thursday, May 21. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Wanda Johnson holds up a sign dedicated to the memory of her brother James Ohlinger who was killed in action on November 19, 1966 in Vietnam. She and other Gold Star families were honored during the event. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Members of the American Legion Post 189 Honor Guard stand ready for the rifle volley at the Memorial Day ceremony at Young Park on Thursday, May 21. From left are: Bob Kahl, U.S. Army, Chuck Cummings, U.S. Air Force, Terry Schmelzle, U.S. Air Force, Neil Baumgartner, U.S. Marine Corps, Jerry Liucci, U.S. Army, and Mike Hearndon, U.S. Marine Corps. Not shown are J.J. Osborne, U.S. Army and Rifle Commander, Jim Houdeck, U.S. Air Force, and Steven Hamerlin, U.S. Army. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Father Dave Newhart, a retired Episcopal priest, and member of the American Legion Post 189 stands and listens during the Memorial Day ceremony at Young Park on Thursday, May 21. The traditional Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans Island Sanctuary could not take place this year because of social distancing guidelines for so many people in such a small area. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- A red, white, and blue wreath was laid in honor of the Fallen during Memorial Day ceremony at Young Park on Thursday, May 21. The ceremony was filmed and will be shared on the Veteran’s Council website and facebook page on Monday, May 25. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- A member of a Gold Star family stands with her hand over her heart for the National Anthem during the Memorial Day ceremony at Young Park on Thursday, May 21, at Young Park. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Gold Star family members honoring the memory of their loved ones at the Memorial Day ceremony at Young Park on Thursday, May 21. The term “Gold Star” is given to a family member who has lost a loved one serving in the military. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Angela Kenny sings a song she wrote called “Not One Has Died In Vain” during the Memorial Day ceremony at Young Park on Thursday, May 21. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Duke Scales, representing the Space Coast Honor Flight and Bugles Across America, plays Taps during the Memorial Day ceremony at Young Park on Thursday, May 21. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Marty Zickert gives a welcome to the Memorial Day ceremony at Young Park on Thursday, May 21. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Members of the American Legion Post 189 Honor Guard stand ready for the rifle volley at the Memorial Day ceremony at Young Park on Thursday, May 21. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- J.J. Osborne, Rifle Commander of the American Legion Post 189 Honor guard stands at attention during the Memorial Day ceremony at Young Park on Thursday, May 21. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- A Gold Star family member taking part in the Memorial Day ceremony at Young Park on Thursday, May 21. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- John Michael Matthews, U.S. Marine Corps, rings the bell eight times following the play of Taps during the Memorial Day ceremony at Young Park on Thursday, May 21. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Parade Marshal Cutis Holden takes part in the Memorial Day ceremony at Young Park on Thursday, May 21. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Col. Sam Kouns, U.S. Army pauses for a moment of respect and reflection during the Memorial Day ceremony at Young Park on Thursday, May 21. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Kelley, a recruiter with the U.S. Army, bows her head as Father Dave Newhart gives the benediction at the Memorial Day ceremony at Young Park on Thursday, May 21. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Professional Bagpiper Michael Hyde salutes during the laying of the wreath at the Memorial Day ceremony at Young Park on Thursday, May 21. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
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- Lt. Col. Carroll Oates, U.S. Army, takes part in the Memorial Day ceremony at Young Park on Thursday, May 21. Photo: Brenda Ahearn
