Professional Bagpiper Michael Hyde warms up before the start of the Memorial Day ceremony at Young Park on Thursday, May 21, in Vero Beach. Above him hangs a massive American flag which was brought and displayed by the Indian River County Fire and Rescue department. This year is only the second time in 56 years when Memorial Day has not been held at the Veterans Island Sanctuary, the other time it was moved on account of Rain. According to retired U.S. Air Force Col. Mary Zickert a typical Memorial Day ceremony will draw between 1,500 and 2,000 attendees. “The virus preclude having anything on the island this year. There is no way you can put 2,000 people out there and observe social distancing,” said Zickert.
Photo: Brenda Ahearn