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Undeterred, Vero residents honor our fallen heroes

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

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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