The annual Vineyard Haven Memorial Day parade was forced indoors on Monday by pelting wind and rain, for the second year in a row. The Tisbury school gymnasium hosted a number of active and retired service members from the community, as well as spectators who packed the stands.
Jo Ann Murphy, the Director of Veteran Services for Dukes County and a member of the American Legion Post 257, led the ceremony.
Among those to grace the stage was boy scout Huck Moore, who led the community in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lieutenant Colonel David O’Sullivan then introduced the guest speaker, Colonel Virginia Doonan, the commander of the 102nd Intelligence Wing at Otis Air National Guard Base. After a compassionate tribute to those that have given their lives in military service, Murphy read the list of veterans that have passed away since last Memorial Day.
Wreaths were then hung to commemorate those who have passed, and a small firing squad exited the gym momentarily to fire shots in tribute to their fallen comrades. The gymnasium was filled with the sobering smell of gunpowder, a stark reminder of the meaning of war and the bravery and courage within those who choose to serve our country.
Afterward, Murphy invited all in attendance to the American Legion for refreshments, in lieu of what would have been the 25th annual avenue of flags in the Oak Grove cemetery.
This Memorial Day, we honor all of the heroic Americans that ensure our liberty, especially those within our community. Those that we have lost since last memorial day, along with the war in which they fought, are listed below.
George E. White, WWII
George Santos, WWII
Arthur BenDavid, Korea
Vernon Jernegan, Korea
Bailey Norton, WWII
Robert Lunbeck, WWII
Harold Hall, Korea
Richard Doane, WWII
Earl B. Richards, WWII
Robert Fauteux, Vietnam
John Bettencourt, Vietnam
David McDonough, Korea
Ralph Jones, Korea
Lynn C. Murphy, WWII
Robert Priore, Vietnam
Howard Attebery
Nelson Smith, WWII
Robert Kinnecom, Korea
Shirley Kaeka, Korea
John L. Stenroth, Vietnam
Samuel B. Issakson, Merchant Marine, WWII
John Kenney, Vietnam
Douglas Look, Vietnam
Anthony Guyther, WWII
Thomas Brennan, WWII
Peter Bettencourt, Vietnam
Glenn Carpenter, Korea
Edward Fedor, peacetime
Neva Thornhill, peacetime
Philip Reynolds, Korea
