The Veteran’s Council of Indian River County celebrated Memorial Day as well as paid tribute to all of the men and women that have died while defending the United States of America and its allies abroad with Master of Ceremonies, Lt. Col. Eric “Rip” Wieler, USMC (Ret.).
During the ceremony a moment of silence and the placing of the wreath at the marker of Petty Officer 2nd class, Ronald Scott Owens, a Vero Beach resident who was killed in the attack on the destroyer USS Cole. Owens was also a posthumous recipient of the Purple Heart. Placement of the wreath was carried out by SSG Jack Main, US Army & Sgt. Brian Wright, USMC.
“Seventeen people died and 39 were injured in an attack on the American guided missile destroyer, USS Cole, in Aden harbor, Yemen, on October 12, 2000.” The attack had been orchestrated by Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida network.
Patriotic Medley – Vero Beach High School Band, Band Directors, James Sammons & Page Howell
Bag Pipes – Michael Hyde, USMM
Special Music – Dolores mark Chambers, vocalist
Keynote Address – Col. Martin Zickert, USAF (Ret.)
21 Gun Salute and Taps – VFW Post 3918 Honor Guard
Benediction – Capt. Richard Flick, USN (Ret.)
Bag Pipes – Michael Hyde, USMM 
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