Ceremonies to honor veterans of the United States military took place in Edgartown and Oak Bluffs during Veterans Day Wednesday.
After a short wreath-laying ceremony was conducted outside of the courthouse in Edgartown, a parade took place in Oak Bluffs, during which 30 veterans and first responders marched in front of 20 members of the Islands scouting community from the harbor, to the veterans memorial in Ocean Park and back.
The procession paused for a moment near the memorial while George Pimentel, the director of veterans services in Dukes County and a veteran of the 75th Army Ranger Regiment, made a speech discussing the weight of service.
“People call veterans heroes,” said Mr. Pimentel. “Thank you for that, but most of us will tell you that we are ordinary kids growing up in big towns and small ones, and we are very unsure of our future. Then we raised our right hand and we swore an oath to serve and protect the Constitution of the United States of America, not to a person, not to an agenda, but to the principles that this country was founded on.”
His remarks were followed by a reading of the document written and signed by Gov. Maura Healey, declaring Nov. 11, 2026, as Veterans Day, the singing of the National Anthem by Mary MacDonald, whose son served in the Navy, and the playing of taps.
“In uniform, ordinary people – kids – do extraordinary things,” said Mr. Pimentel. “We learned what duty, sacrifice, courage and honor mean. We learned that the family isn’t always the name on our uniform. It could be the squad in the dirt next to you, a crew crimped in a compartment, or a buddy who will always have your back.”
After the ceremony, the community was invited to enjoy a luncheon at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9261 in Oak Bluffs.
thank you Mr. Pimentel for stating it so so simply. Thanks to all the veterans!