The Most Vero Way to Celebrate Memorial Day

Vero Minute
1 hour ago
3 min read

Some 1,000 people gathered yesterday for a yearly tradition honoring Indian River County’s rich military heritage -- a solemn reminder of the sacrifices we take for granted.

It's easy to let the day slip by with the long weekend, the barbecues, the family from out of town. But in a county where nearly 1 in 9 residents has worn a uniform, showing up to Memorial Island yesterday morning for the Military Officers Association of America's annual ceremony was the most Vero thing we can do on Memorial Day.

The Vero Beach High School Band played a patriotic medley and names were read from the cenotaph honoring fallen Indian River County servicemen from World War I through the Global War on Terror followed by their age, most of them never having made it to thirty. Three World War II veterans sat in the audience, including Bill Keegan, who turns 102 this Monday, June 1. All are welcome at his birthday party, taking place at the American Legion at 11:30.

**Bethany Fortunato, IRC MOAA Board Member, and Bill Keegan**

The Pledge was led by Michelle Dale, who founded the local Gold Star Mothers chapter after losing her son, Army Corporal Dale Kridlo, in Afghanistan in 2010.

Before the ceremony closed out with a rifle salute, taps and benediction, keynote speaker and retired Marine Colonel Gerry Berry told a thrilling story of how, on April 29, 1975, he flew eighteen hours straight off the Saigon embassy rooftop as the city collapsed around him, took fire the entire way, and got the last U.S. ambassador out of Vietnam by invoking presidential authority he absolutely did not have (spoiler alert, it worked).

Dates for your calendar: Tuesday, June 23rd, Let's Talk Vero hosts Let's Talk Veterans at Riverside Theatre (RSVP here) Followed by Stars and Service on the Riverside Theatre Campus July 2 and 3.

Finally, on Wednesday, November 11th, IRC MOAA returns to the island for the Veterans Day ceremony.