The Maine Air National Guard honored health care workers and other essential employees with a flyover Tuesday.
A KC-135 from the 101st Air Refueling Wing flew over communities in western, central and coastal Maine, but bad weather prevented a flight over northern communities.
"The entire Maine National Guard is honored to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the healthcare workers and first responders who are working on the front lines to combat COVID-19," Maj. Gen. Douglas Farnham, Maine's adjutant general, said in a written statement.
The event is part of Operation American Resolve, a nationwide salute to front-line responders in the battle against the new coronavirus.
The flight, which began in Bangor, took the plane over Farmington, the Scarborough Veterans' Home, Maine Medical Center in Portland, Augusta, Mount Desert Island and then back to Bangor.
"Everybody was really excited," said Stacey Coventry, Director of Volunteer and Community Development Services at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center. "All of that helps morale. Gratitude goes a long way."
In Farmington, first responders joined health care workers flashing emergency lights on their vehicles and holding American flags.
In Portland, dozens of Maine Medical Center workers looked up around 11 a.m. when the KC-135 flew over the city.
"This was really amazing," said hospital employee Linda Daniels. "My fiancée is a military man. This is a big thing."
The flyover of northern Maine will be rescheduled for a later date when the weather is better, according to the National Guard.
