A solemn Veterans Day for loved ones

OKLAHOMA CITY — Celebrations marking Veterans Day gave way to somber virtual gatherings Wednesday, with many of the nation’s veterans homes barring visitors to protect their residents from the surging coronavirus that has killed thousands of former members of the U.S. military.

Cemeteries decorated with American flags were silent as well, as many of the traditional ceremonies were canceled. With infections raging again nationwide, several veterans homes are fighting new outbreaks.

In New York City, a quiet parade of military vehicles, with no spectators, rolled through Manhattan to maintain the 101-year tradition of veterans marching on Fifth Avenue. President Donald Trump took part in an observance at Arlington National Cemetery, while President-elect Joe Biden placed a wreath at the Korean War Memorial in Philadelphia.

More than 4,200 veterans have died from COVID-19 at hospitals and homes run by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and nearly 85,000 have been infected, according to the department.

That death toll does not include an untold number who have died in private or state-run veterans facilities, including the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home in Massachusetts, which had nearly 80 deaths earlier this year. Two former administrators were charged with criminal offenses after an investigation found that “utterly baffling” decisions caused the disease to run rampant there.

The Holyoke Soldiers’ Home has barred all visitors for two weeks after a staff member tested positive in late October. It honored the veterans throughout the day with gifts, treats, music and a virtual ceremony.

Officials also remembered those who died at the home in western Massachusetts. “Those veterans that we lost will not be forgotten, and we’ll be sure to use their memory that a tragedy like that won’t happen again,” state Rep. Aaron Vega.

In Idaho, 33 residents of the state veterans home in Boise have tested positive, including nine on Tuesday, said home administrator Rick Holloway. Six have died, and four are hospitalized.

On Veterans Day, the home is normally full of family members, community groups and officials who gather to thank the former members of the military for their service. This year, the halls were empty, and the home planned to serve residents a special prime rib dinner in their rooms.

“It’s a different environment right now — very, very quiet, and the care we’re providing is more one-on-one activities,” Holloway said.

Marv Hagedorn, administrator of the Idaho Division of Veteran Services, watched volunteers at the state’s veterans cemetery put flags on graves earlier this week.

“It was beautiful, even knowing that we’re not going to be there. I think for veterans this is going to be a hard day,” he said. said

Photos by Kin Man Hui / Staff photographer Denise Cobb, above, caresses the headstone of her late husband, Air Force Col. Jerry Cobb, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on Wednesday. Cobb joined other families who spent Veterans Day paying respects to loved ones. Cobb said she wanted to honor her husband’s sacrifice and celebrate the lives of all veterans.

Gustavo Soltero, left, plays guitar as he and his wife, Maria Adela, visit the grave site of their son, Omar Soltero, on Wednesday. The Solteros’ son was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2011 while serving as a specialist in the Army. The parents sang hymns and read passages from the Bible after laying a bouquet of flowers by their son’s headstone.

Mark Lennihan / Associated Press A Marine officer watches a 100-vehicle parade pass along Fifth Avenue on Wednesday in New York. The Veterans Day parade was held, with no spectators, to maintain the 101-year tradition.