The sound of blaring sirens and horns echoed from Edgartown to Vineyard Haven Tuesday afternoon as a long line of police, fire and rescue vehicles wound through the mostly empty streets. But this was no emergency — it was parade to pay tribute to workers on the front lines of the pandemic.
The sound of blaring sirens and horns echoed from Edgartown to Vineyard Haven Tuesday afternoon as a long line of police, fire and rescue vehicles wound through the mostly empty streets. But this was no emergency — it was parade to pay tribute to medical professionals, grocery store workers and other essential workers on the front lines of the pandemic.
There was a stop at the hospital to honor the medical staff.
There was a stop at the hospital to honor the medical staff.
There were smiling faces and waving neighbors as the procession left the Edgartown School, led by cruisers from all six police departments.
The cruisers were followed by fire engines, a Coast Guard truck towing steel rescue vessel, vehicles from the Dukes County sheriff’s department and state police cruisers from the Oak Bluffs barracks.
“We wanted to show our appreciation for all they have gone through,” Aquinnah police chief Randhi Belain, who organized the parade, told the Gazette Monday. “They are essential workers in this pandemic.”
Procession began at the Edgartown School and ended at Cronig's Market in Vineyard Haven.
Procession began at the Edgartown School and ended at Cronig's Market in Vineyard Haven.
The procession traveled up the Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, passing Martha’s Vineyard Community Services office to honor the staff that plays a large role in assisting first responders. It then traveled down Barnes Road and up Circuit avenue, eventually looping around the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. It continued through Five Corners, ending at Cronig’s Market in Vineyard Haven.
Many onlookers said they were grateful to take part in a community event after weeks of isolation.
Following social distance protocols, community members came out to show their support. Hospital workers took a respite. People sat in their cars along the seawall in Vineyard Haven, wearing medical masks and waving American flags. Outside Cronig’s, a small crowd gathered, at a safe distance.
Nicole Palacios, an Oak Bluffs resident and gardener, stood with her young son outside the market. Both wore masks and greeted the procession with applause.
“We just came out to support all the people in this community who are keeping us going,” she said. “We tend to take for granted all the things we need . . . I’m grateful for all of them.”
Comments
What a nice way to say thank
Dr. W. Curtis M.D. (retired) Boston-MVYWhat a nice way to say thank you to all the hard working folks! and such a great since of community....Now it's time to move forward and open the country up.
I am semi retired physician for over 30 years. I also proudly served my country in the Navy. I maybe an old yankee at heart and set in my ways, but I do know what a pandemic is. If we were really in a Pandemic state, I would think hospitals would be full to capacity? Hospitals would be on full alert all hands on deck....but no...Hospitals are now laying of Doctors, nurses and staff across the country. I couldn't imagine there would be time or resources for thank-you parades during a Pandemic? Hospitals are in a financial pandemic and our Governors main concern that Country clubs can stay open and play golf, while other hard work folks wait anxiously to when they can open they're business. This is all so wrong. The folks that are telling you to stay home etc.. are politicians not medical professionals....They should stay home and let the people work.
Funny how there has been no lay offs in the Government? Federal/State/Local??
Thank you for the positive
Jared ChappyThank you for the positive headline this morning!
I sincerely think our health
Ghost of Tom Joad Quarantine in OBI sincerely think our health care workers are brave and deserve recognition for their service and the risks they take every day.
.... on the other hand ..... it seems a bit much to have every emergency vehicle converge and clog traffic for an hour as yet another show of thanks. I wound think the constant barrage of tv and radio ads, billboards, yard signs, candles in windows, singalongs, celebrity videos, rallies, and synchronized yelling out Of windows would have, already, give them a sense of much we appreciate them. It also seems on an island where we have no deaths, no current hospitalizations and most routine medical appointments and elective procedures are being cancelled because of the shutdown — that a parade for health care workers is laying it on a little thick. Why don’t we just stay in lockdown forever and have a parade everyday?
P.S. I just reread article
Ghost of Tom Joad Stuck in middle with you in this house in obP.S. I just reread article and am embarrassed to say I didn’t realize the parade was for grocery workers as well. And in all sincerely all those people are heroes and totally rock and deserve a parade and much more. I just have a feeling most of them didn’t see the parade or weren’t aware it was even happening but instead we’re probably in the store keeping the shelves stocked and ringing up customers. I mean this sincerely, those people are brave and courageous and are not getting the recognition they deserve. As a bonus they aren’t posting annoying group dance videos or movie re-enactments on you tube.
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