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Thursday 12 November 2020
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 go-
ing to be a hard day," he
said. Idaho Gov. Brad Little
pleaded with residents to
wear masks and socially
distance in honor of those
who served in the armed
forces. "They have endured
loss of friends, loss of limbs
and loss of mental and
emotional security to pro-
tect us. Now our veterans
need us," he said in a state-
ment.
At the annual Veterans
Day gathering at the New
Hampshire State Veterans
Cemetery, many partici-
pants wore masks and kept
their distance from others.
"Veterans Day looks a lot
different this year than it has
in the past," said Andy Pat-
terson, commander of the
Disabled American Veter-
ans of New Hampshire.
President-elect Joe Biden, and Jill Biden, stand with their hands over their hearts before placing a wreath at the Philadelphia Korean
War Memorial at Penn's Landing, on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020, in Philadelphia. Ninety-eight veterans have
Associated Press died from COVID-19 in
Missouri's seven veterans
Continued from Front to the Vietnam-era defo- about four times the num- tober. It honored the vet- homes since Sept. 1, and
American veterans are es- liant Agent Orange and ber of American military erans throughout the day Gov. Mike Parson ordered
pecially vulnerable to CO- smoke from burning oilfields deaths in Vietnam. with gifts, treats, music and an independent review
VID-19 because of their in the Persian Gulf. The Holyoke Soldiers' Home a virtual ceremony. after several deaths in Oc-
age and underlying health All told, the coronavirus has has barred all visitors for two Officials also remembered tober. In Oklahoma, more
conditions, some of which taken almost a quarter- weeks after a staff member those who died at the than 300 cases of corona-
can be traced to exposure million lives in the U.S., or tested positive in late Oc- home in western Massa- virus have been reported
chusetts. "Those veterans at six of the state's seven
that we lost will not be for- veterans homes and 72 res-
gotten, and we'll be sure idents have died from CO-
to use their memory that VID-19. Officials believe the
a tragedy like that won't two worst outbreaks were
happen again," said state caused by an employee
Rep. Aaron Vega. who was infected but had
In Idaho, 33 residents of no symptoms.
the state veterans home in Rusty Elkins said his 84-year-
Boise have tested positive, old father Glenn Elkins, who
including nine on Tuesday, joined the Navy during the
said home administrator Korean War and spent most
Rick Holloway. Six have of his career as a public
died, and four are hospi- school teacher and admin-
talized. On Veterans Day, istrator, was among those
the home is normally full of who died from COVID-19
family members, communi- after contracting it at the
ty groups and officials who veterans home in Norman,
gather to thank the former Oklahoma.
members of the military for He said he believes a short-
their service. This year, the age of staffers and a rotat-
halls were empty, and the ing group of doctors led to
home planned to serve res- a lack of leadership at the
idents a special prime rib facility that worsened the
dinner in their rooms. problem. His father was
"It's a different environment transferred to a hospital
right now — very, very qui- in Oklahoma City, but his
et, and the care we're pro- condition deteriorated as
viding is more one-on-one he waited for a bed.
activities," Holloway said. "I wanted him to have a
Marv Hagedorn, admin- chance, but by then it
istrator of the Idaho Divi- was too late," Elkins said. "I
sion of Veteran Services, didn't get him here quick
watched volunteers at the enough."q