'It's Truly Amazing To Be Recognized As Heroes': South Florida Doctors, Nurses Honored By Blue Angels Fly Over Tribute
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - The Blue Angels have been making their way across the country to show their support for those on the front lines during the coronavirus pandemic and on Friday it was South Florida's turn.
The men and women who work at Broward Health Medical Center were excited to see the aerial show.
Watch our special report here:
"We always admire the men and women in uniform and it just makes it very special for them to fly over, recognizing the hard work we're doing," said Dr. Sunil Kumar, Chief of Staff at Broward Health.
"The Blue Angels symbolize hope and strength for our country and the American resolve and it just kind of brings unity to all of us front line workers as we desperately try to save the lives of these people with COVID," said nurse Traci Vose.
"I mean, it was amazing," said eight-year-old Thomas Boegler, a patient at Broward Health Medical Center.
For Boegler, who's being treated for cancer, this was his first time outside since December. He was happy to celebrate the men and women who've been taking care of him.
"They're amazing. They've been helping me for a long time now, and yeah, we just are grateful they help all these patients heal and help to go home," he said.
PIX: Blue Angels Fly Over South Florida
When the six F-18 Hornets fly roared over South Florida's hospitals, it was their way of saying thanks to all the men and women on the front lines; the first responders, the doctors, nurses, and people who keep the grocery stores open and operating.
WATCH: From the cockpit of a Blue Angel flying over South Florida
"We appreciate all of this, it's exciting that they're celebrating us healthcare workers," said nurse Adrianne Mesic.
"There's no better time than now to say thank you to first responders, the unsung community heroes that are going above and beyond and sacrificing for us," said Mickey Markoff, the Executive Director of the National Salute to America's Heroes.
In Broward, the flight began above North Broward Medical Center in Deerfield Beach. It then made its way south along the eastern side of Broward circling hospitals along the way, much to the delight of cheering crowds below.
"It's more than I expected. It was an honor to be here. I'm so proud to be a Memorial employee," said Nika Campbell, a nurse at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood.
WATCH: CBS4 viewer videos of Blue Angels salute in the sky over South Florida
After flying through Miami-Dade, the formation headed north over the western part of Broward.
At Baptist Hospital, the doctors, nurses, and staff couldn't say it enough how much they appreciate the salute.
"I can't express my gratitude. I can't even explain the amount of support it's given us and really boosted my team's morale," said nurse Lourdes Talevera.
At Mercy Hospital in Coconut Grove, the doctors and nurses agreed that this was something special.
"It's truly amazing to be recognized this way as heroes. To me, my heroes have always been my patients," said Yani Pascual, clinical coordinator of the NICU at Mercy.
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