Nov 2, 2025 4 min read

Several South Hills communities will conduct Veterans Day observances on Nov. 11.

Navy Seal Brian Loughridge will be the keynote speaker at a ceremony set for Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial off Cedar Boulevard in Mt. Lebanon. Loughridge is also a Mt. Lebanon volunteer firefighter.

Commissioner Craig Grella will deliver the welcome remarks and Pastor Doug Heagy from the Mt. Lebanon United Lutheran Church will give the invocation and benediction.

Scout Troop 284 will present the colors and lead the Pledge of Allegiance while the Triple Trio from the high school will sing the national anthem and “God Bless America.”

A ceremony honoring members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Upper St. Clair Veterans Park, 1820 McLaughlin Run Road.

Co-hosted by the Upper St. Clair School District and the Township of Upper St. Clair, the event is free and open to the public.

The program will feature musical performances by the Upper St. Clair High School Chanteclairs and a trombone quartet composed of members of the high school’s Wind Ensemble, along with band director Nick Deutsch.

Located adjacent to the township’s municipal building and library, Upper St. Clair Veterans Park features seven monuments recognizing each branch of the military: the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, and National Guard.

Parking is available in the side lot of the municipal building, near Clair’s Kennel and the library entrance.

Bethel Park has planned a full day of activities at the Schoolhouse Arts & History Center, located at 2600 South Park Road.

Free donuts and coffee will be available from 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tables will be set up by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the American Legion and display photos of local veterans. Wreaths Across America will also be sold during this time period

Individuals can drop off veteran photos from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 10 in the DAR and classroom areas of the schoolhouse. Limit one photo per veteran.

Free presentations will be offered in the evening in the auditorium situated on the second floor of the schoolhouse.

From 7 to 8 p.m. “Homecoming: Sgt. Hamilton’s Long Journey” by producer David Solomin of WQED will be shown. From 8 to 8:30 p.m. How to Conduct Veterans Record Research will be the topic of Beth Reuschel’s discussion. Those present will learn how to research veterans and military records. A question-and-answer session will follow.

The chamber, which serves Bethel Park, Castle Shannon and South Park, will host its annual Veterans Day Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Bethel Park Community Center, located on Park Avenue. Veterans attend for free while guests are admitted for $20 each.

Visit bpchamber.org to register.

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Registered Nurses Club will hold its annual Veterans Day Memorial Service at noon on Nov. 11. The event will take place at the Nurses Memorials on Corrigan Drive in South Park. Guest speaker is 1st Lt Amanda Clark, who is currently serving in the Pennsylvania ARNG. The South Hills Honor Guard, VFW Post 6664 will present a 21-gun salute and Taps at the Purple Heart Monument.

Bagpiper Bradley Wilson will play a medley of military songs and memorial wreaths will be placed. The public can attend.

One day before Veterans Day, Thomas Jefferson High School will host a “From a Distance” event featuring Donna Groom of The Skyliners at 7 p.m. Nov. 10. The special community celebrations honors veterans and supports the Life Changing Service Dogs For Veterans mission.

The show features Groom presenting real letters sent from soldiers to their families or letters written by families to those serving in the military, accompanied by music from that era. These letters span the period from the Civil War to Afghanistan.

Tickets are $22 for adults and $11 for students. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door. All proceeds from ticket sales, raffles and donations directly benefit Life Changing Service Dogs For Veterans, which supports the placement and training of service dogs for those who have served. Veterans.

Visit: https://tjhs.ludus.com to purchase tickets in advance.

Finally, Chartiers Valley High School will conduct a flag-raising ceremony, honoring all who served, at 10 a.m. Nov. 11. Refreshments will be served following the event.

All veterans can attend. Veterans should RSVP to jheffley@cvsd.net or kkelsch@cvsd.net.