On the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, 101 years after the armistice was signed to put an end to World War I, Island veterans, families and members of the community honored those who served their country at a Veterans Day parade that traveled from Nancy’s Snack Bar to Ocean Park.
Led by Edgartown police chief Bruce McNamee, the march through downtown Oak Bluffs on a bright and clear November day was filled with the sound of bagpipes playing a traditional song of homage to those who served in America’s armed forces. Trailing behind Chief McNamee was each legion of Island heroes, from World War II and Vietnam veterans to the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America.
At the end of the parade, veterans filed into rank and the community gathered around the flags at Ocean Park as VFW Post 9261 quartermaster Peter Herrmann opened the ceremony.
As described by Lieut. Col. David Berube: “We honor the unbroken line of veterans stretching back to our first fight for freedom that gave birth to our republic.”
State Representative Dylan Fernandes continued this theme in his speech, highlighting the need for continuing to help those veterans who are fortunate enough to return home. He announced recently passed legislation to expand PTSD services to every public college in Massachusetts to provide a continuum of care to those on the G.I. Bill.
He explained that of the 388,000 veterans living in Massachusetts, over half of those veterans are over the age of 65 — and often the younger generation of soldiers either don’t seek out the care that they need or are overlooked by the system.
“There is a gap in PTSD services for people in that younger range,” he said after the ceremony. “This program is for them. . . Massachusetts is the leader in the nation for veterans service, but there’s always more work we can do.”
After two veterans placed a wreath at the base of the Ocean Park veterans monument, the ceremony ended with the sound of taps, punctuated with a three-volley salute from Menemsha Coast Guard.
Following the ceremony, many of the veterans headed to the VFW Post in Oak Bluffs. Lieut. Col. Berube, Scout Platoon Sgt. Michael Blake and Navy Medic Matt Bradley all agreed that the VFW, and traditional gathering places for veterans, are having a hard time recruiting younger veterans from recent wars.
“There’s sort of this feeling of inadequacy and intimidation,” said Mr. Bradley. “The younger ones sometimes don’t see themselves as veterans yet. . . We all think someone else did so much more.”
Mr. Blake said that it is important for veterans to be aware of the services that are offered to them, and that the camaraderie of service extends far beyond the battlefield. This feeling of camaraderie and service was immediately in evidence at the VFW, when an older veteran fainted due to a diabetic seizure. The two younger veterans, both with extensive medical backgrounds, immediately jumped into action and provided assistance before the ambulance arrived.
“Honestly, we come from a culture where we have to react,” said Mr. Blake. “I wish I had something really profound to tell you about it, but it’s just what we do — help each other.”
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