NEW YORK (Reuters) – Americans paid a low-key tribute to those who died serving in the U.S. Armed Forces on Monday, with many Memorial Day events canceled because of the coronavirus epidemic that has killed nearly 100,000 people in the United States alone.
A U.S. Army soldier stands guard in front of rows of graves as U.S. President Donald Trump participates in wreath laying ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in commemoration of the Memorial Day holiday at Arlington National Cemetery outside of Washington in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., May 25, 2020. REUTERS/Erin Scott
In some places, scaled-down ceremonies were broadcast over the internet, as shutdowns to curb the spread of the virus put a damper on what is usually a day of flag-waving parades and crowds celebrating the unofficial start of the U.S. summer.
Spots that would be bustling on a normal Memorial holiday had noticeably thinner crowds.
Perhaps half of those gathered at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington wore face coverings, recommended as one way to fight infection. Only about one in 10 did so on the boardwalk by the beach in Ocean City, New Jersey.
With casinos closed, nearby Atlantic City was quiet.
Richard Burke, who bought a balloon-popping amusement stand on the boardwal