May 17, 2026 By Eleanor Bailey 5 min read

The nation pauses its celebration of its 250th anniversary by commemorating a more somber event. On May 25, the country will recognize its fallen heroes and many municipalities will mourn their military personnel who died serving in the United States Armed Forces during solemn services on Memorial Day.

“Memorial Day is a time for us to come together as a community to honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans, especially those who gave their lives for our freedom,” said Bethel Park Mayor Jack Allen.

For more than 25 years, Bethel Park has gathered at its Veterans Memorial.

“To remember and reflect,” said Allen.

This year will be no different as the municipality kicks off the holiday with a wreath-laying ceremony starting at 8:50 a.m. at the memorial plaza, located in front of the municipal building at 5100 West Library Ave.

“This tradition continues to be one of our most meaningful,” Allen said. “This year’s program will be especially powerful, as we recognize those who have fallen and welcome respected speakers who truly embody service and dedication.”

Retired Lt. Col. Shannon Crowley will be the featured speaker. After graduating with a finance degree from West Virginia University, Crowley was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force.

An aircraft maintenance officer initially, she worked on B-52 Bombers, KC-135 Tankers, A-10 Warthogs, F-16 falcons, F-15 Eagles and the F-15E Strike Eagles.

Eventually, she earned a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Arkansas in 1989.

Bethel Park’s Memorial Day commemoration continues with a parade that steps off at 10 a.m. from the municipal building and ends at Bethel Cemetery, adjacent to Bethel Presbyterian Church on Bethel Church Road.

A service, hosted by American Legion Post 760, will be held at the cemetery. State Sen. Devlin Robinson will be the featured speaker.

Raised in neighboring Brookline, Robinson joined the Marine Corps upon graduation from Central Catholic High School. He served combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.

After an honorable discharge, he founded the Veterans Medical Technology company and earned a business degree from Robert Morris University and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh.

In case of inclement weather, the morning ceremony will be moved indoors to council chambers in the municipal building, the parade will be canceled and tents will be on site for the cemetery service. Any changes on Memorial Day will be announced by 7 a.m. at www.bethelparkpa.gov and on all Bethel Park social media.

The Veterans Memorial off Cedar Boulevard will be the site of Mt. Lebanon’s Memorial Day commemoration. The service will be held at 8:30 a.m. May 25.

Blaise Larotonda serves as the Master of Ceremonies and Rabbi Aaron Meyer from Temple Emanuel of the South Hills will deliver the invocation and benediction.

Todd DePastino, who is the founding director of the Veterans Breakfast Club, is the featured speaker. He is the author and editor of seven books, including the award-winning “Bill Mauldin: A Life Up Front,” (W.W. Norton), a biography of the famed WWII cartoonist.

DePastino has a doctorate in American History from Yale University. He has taught at Penn State Beaver and Waynesburg University, where he received the Lucas-Hathaway Award for Teaching Excellence.

The Mt. Lebanon High School Marching Band will perform “Taps” as well as “Main Street America” and arrangement by director Gary Gilroy.

Visit mt.lebanon.org for more details on Memorial Day events.

The 92nd annual South Hills Memorial Day Parade will start at 10 a.m. May 25 at Brookline Memorial Park Cannon.

The parade proceeds down Brookline Boulevard through Pioneer Avenue and then down West Library/Washington roads, finishing at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery.

Hosted by the Sons of the American Revolution – Pittsburgh Chapter, the event is considered one of the largest Memorial Day parades in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

The parade units represent Brookline, Beechview, Dormont and Mt. Lebanon in remembering and honoring those that lost their lives in service to the United States.

Each year, the parade committee selects one deceased member from these communities to represent all those who made the ultimate sacrifice. There have been at least 221 men from these communities who died in defense of freedom.

Visit sarpgh.com to participate in the parade or for more information regarding fundraising efforts to maintain and continue the parade tradition.

Memorial Day in Peters Township features a variety of activities including a parade beginning at 9 a.m. at the VFW on Valley Brook Road. The parade features the high school’s marching band.

A ceremony immediately follows the parade in the VFW parking lot. Retired Navy Commander and Aviator Bill Kern serves as the keynote speaker.

The VFW will be open to the public on Memorial Day and there will be entertainment. From 1 to 4 p.m. the band Ruff Creek will perform.

Additionally the recently completed Veterans Memorial Garden located at Talbot and Moore drives is open to visitors and residents.

The South Fayette-Bridgeville Memorial Day parade starts at 10 a.m. on Washington Pike, near Interstate 79 in South Fayette.

A road closure will occur from 9:55 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. from Warchol Funeral Home to the Chartiers Street bridge, and Washington Avenue will close in downtown Bridgeville.

During the parade, all traffic will be prohibited from using those roads, entering/exiting local shopping areas, and using the Chartiers Street intersection.

Finally, to mark the 250th anniversary of independence for the United States, South Park hopes to have 250 people marching down Library and Brownsville roads during its annual Memorial Day parade.

The veterans of VFW Post 6664 are inviting all those who have served and those currently in service to march.

Participants should gather by 9:30 a.m. at St. Joan of Arc Church. The parade begins at 10.

Accommodations will be available for veterans with limited mobility and their family members who are assisting them.

Call 724-421-6511 for more details.