Island military veterans and active service members marched through the streets of downtown Oak Bluffs Saturday morning for the annual Martha’s Vineyard Veterans Day parade, hosted by the Dukes County Veterans Service Center.
Dressed in uniform and clutching flags, members of the U.S. Coast Guard, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and the Martha’s Vineyard Cub Scouts made their way from Lake avenue to Ocean Park. There, they convened with dozens of Islanders for a solemn ceremony to honor veterans.
The event began with a community prayer for veterans who have died, and a reading of the 2023 Massachusetts Veterans Day proclamation by Oak Bluffs select board member Gail Barmakian.
“There are approximately 300,000 veterans living in Massachusetts, and today we are reminded of the great sacrifices and contributions our veterans have made for our country,” said Ms. Barmakian. “It is appropriate that all Massachusetts citizens remember the bravery of those who served our country so that the dedication and sacrifices serve as a reminder of the cost of our freedom.”
Next came the laying of the wreath — a ritual to honor the memory and bravery of fallen veterans — by former Navy commander Tom Norbury and members of Cub Scout Pack 90.
The rest of the ceremony was a musical affair.
Oak Bluffs resident Mary MacDonald serenaded the crowd with the Star-Spangled Banner while members of the military stood firmly in a salute. To close, a bugler played Taps and a bagpiper played Amazing Grace, as the procession marched back toward Lake avenue.
Vineyard Haven Post 257 commander Jo Ann Murphy then welcomed the crowd to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9261 office for refreshments.
“I have to thank everyone for showing up because this really is a very nice turnout,” Ms. Murphy said.
As Islanders dispersed, Dan Cooke-Ennis and his son Caffrey walked hand-in-hand discussing the ceremony.
“[Caffrey] actually got up at 6:45 this morning and asked me to go grab [his] grandpa’s old Vietnam pictures,” said Mr. Cooke-Ennis, as Caffrey smiled. “Then we came here, and the ceremony was beautiful.”
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