The sun finally broke through the clouds Sunday afternoon to greet the new graduates of the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School as they processed, smiling and holding hands, into a tie-dye-swathed tent. Nine strong, the class of 2012 — Erica Bartlett, Emma Bleiler, Cherilla “Coco” Brown, Aedan Greene, Elias Brown, Gavin Harrer, Anna “Zen” Hughes, Meagan McDonough and Jake Meegan — filed onto the stage to Neil Young’s Old Man, sporting wreaths of blue flowers and clothing of their choice.

Memorial Day on the Vineyard is always a crowded scene, but this year’s crowd brought with it something extra — an overwhelmingly good mood. Merchants across down-Island towns stressed the friendliness of first-time vacationers, summer residents and year-round residents.

The first summer weekend began with hordes of passengers crossing the Sound.

Vineyard residents pride themselves on being tough. They brave cold, barren winters, prohibitively high gas prices and interminable summer crowds.

But those Islanders battling cancer are among the hardiest. They face high medical costs, uncomfortable ferry rides and long, painful drives to oncologists and radiation centers. Cancer engages them in emotional, physical and financial struggles each day.