The gentle lap of the Indian River Lagoon provided a solemn backdrop as hundreds gathered on Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary for the annual Memorial Day Ceremony, hosted by the Military Officers Association of America, Indian River Chapter.
This year, the service served as an even more poignant reminder of the true cost of freedom, as just days prior Army Pvt. First Class Christopher Belcher of Vero Beach was welcomed home with full military honors, having passed away unexpectedly while on duty overseas.
Former Army Lt. John Palazzolo, IRCMOAA Chaplain, delivered an invocation thanking God for the “precious gift of freedom” to worship, speak and live by conscience.
“On this Memorial Day, we remember with deep gratitude the brave men and women who gave their lives so that we might enjoy these liberties,” Palazzolo prayed. “May we live each day with thankfulness and courage, honoring both their memory and Your grace.”
“Veterans die twice: the day they are killed, and the day no one remembers to say their name.
This Memorial Day, we remember our local veterans who died in service and are honored here by a cenotaph, which is a marker for a person whose remains are elsewhere,” said Gold Star mother Michelle Dale, before also recognizing the surviving World War II veterans in attendance.
In a somber roll call, she and Bethany Fortunato read the names and ages at death of local veterans who died in service, after which, a wreath of freshly cut flowers was placed at the cenotaph as bagpipes echoed across the sanctuary.
Keynote speaker retired Marine Corps Col. Gerry Berry spoke of his 25-year military career, balancing wartime trauma with military humor.
Berry recalled a 1969 rescue mission in the A Shau Valley, where his CH-46 transport helicopter took 79 hits.
“I was 24 years old, the oldest guy on that airplane, and I didn’t have a scratch on me. There’s probably not a day that goes by, certainly not a week, when I don’t remember that day,” Berry said.
During Operation Frequent Wind, the April 1975 evacuation of Saigon, Berry was assigned to fly one of the final two helicopters as North Vietnamese tanks closed in. However, when orders to evacuate U.S. Ambassador Graham Martin stalled, he took matters into his own hands.
He recalled telling the marine security guard to tell the ambassador the aircraft was not leaving the roof until he was on board.
“And then in my best aviator voice, I said, ‘the president’s orders,’” said Berry. Within 90 seconds, the ambassador was on board.
“President Gerald Ford didn’t order him out. Henry Kissinger didn’t order him out,” said Berry.
“The ambassador to Vietnam was ordered out by that roguishly handsome, global soldier of the sea, Marine Capt. Gerry Berry. This is how I personally ended the United States’ involvement in South Vietnam,” he added.
Honoring the four Marines lost during that final operation, Barry said, “They will go to Valhalla and at my age, in the not-too-distant future, I plan to go to Valhalla. When you look on Heaven’s scenes, you will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines.”
The ceremony concluded with a rifle volley and the playing of taps, signifying a final salute and our eternal gratitude.
IRCMOAA meets the third Friday of the month at the Vero Beach Yacht Club. For more information, visit ircmoaa.org.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
