Veterans Day goes virtual: Amherst tribute is 'in the heart, not about the form' (VIDEO, UPDATED)

BROWNHELM TWP. — No crowds, flag corps standing at attention or sound of thunderous applause — just a small band of brothers. They gathered Wednesday morning, swapping war stories while getting ready for a Veterans Day unlike any other in Lorain County history due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of filling downtown Amherst with thousands of people as he has for the past decade, Navy veteran John Sekletar organized a virtual ceremony for 2020. The decision was difficult, he said, but after consulting with Mayor Mark Costilow he believed it was necessary to prevent the virus' spread. So Sekletar tapped audio-visual experts Victor Edwards and Tony Melendez to livestream observances from the home of Navy veteran Mike Bokulich, an aviation electronics technician who served during Vietnam. His exercise room was converted into a studio, complete with lights, props and a high-tech control center to create a ceremony via video. "Many patriots throughout the United States are going to be able to see this, so that's gratifying," Bokulich said. With so many people reluctant to gather in large groups, he felt it was important to provide them with a way to honor veterans. "It's in the heart, not about the form. You could have Veterans Day with just a few veterans," Bokulich said. "What's important is that we show our appreciation." Tyrone Wicks, who served in the Navy and was assigned to the Marine Corps, said he missed having direct contact with those who come together every Veterans Day to honor the sacrifices of those who wore the uniform. The virtual ceremony was "our best possible substitute to reach the greatest amount of people," he said. Wicks said his hope was for the streaming tribute to provide viewers in Lorain County and beyond with a chance to unify after long months of election-related division. "I hope they're now going to be able to turn and recognize the United States as a country, and the people who fight every day, who are over there right now, who are not engaged in politics. They're fighting to protect those things we hold most sacred," he said. The ceremony is usually held in front of Amherst's veterans mural wall, which depicts the American flag-raising over Iwo Jima in World War II, as well as tributes to veterans of the Korean War, Vietnam War and the global War on Terror. This year, Marion L. Steele High School history students prerecorded a segment at the mural wall, where they recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Amherst Veterans Military Honor Guard prerecorded a rifle salute there. Also part of the ceremony was footage of a fly-over by replica P-51 Mustangs, propeller aircraft primarily used in World War II and Korea. The Rev. Tim O'Connor of St. Joseph Parish and Lou Maglio of Fox 8 News also contributed to the observances. "It's not as we would have hoped and would have preferred, but it is what it is," Maglio said of the virtual format. "Hopefully next year, we'll get back to normal." Contact Jason Hawk at (440) 329-7122 or news@lcnewspapers.com.