Funds sought to preserve South Hills Memorial Day parade
Rocky Bleier will serve as grand marshal
The news disturbed Rocky Bleier. When he learned that the South Hills Memorial Day Parade’s survival was on the line, the former Pittsburgh Steeler and U.S. Army veteran jumped into action.
Bleier not only said yes to a suggestion by state Rep. Dan Miller and state Sen. Wayne Fontanna to become the event’s first-ever grand marshal, he also has donated memorabilia to help with fundraising efforts to help defray parade costs.
“When I heard the story that if nobody takes an interest, this parade is going down the drain, I couldn’t let that happen,” Bleier said at a fundraising event April 3 at the Mt. Lebanon Historical Society.
“The Memorial Day parade is important to me. It’s always been a big part of my life. The bands. The soldiers,” he added.
Bleier noted this will be the 91st year the parade will be held. Mascots, bands and veterans travel a 2.2-mile route starting in Brookline, continuing through Dormont along West Liberty Avenue and Washington Road and ending at the Mt. Lebanon Cemetery.
“It’s on the verge of maybe not happening and I think that’s just a shame because it’s an important thing because the stories and the memories of those who served in the past are important to remember.”
The May 26 parade memorializes the many residents from the tri-community area who have fallen in wars fought by Americans. It will also acknowledge the service of the living like Bleier, who received a Purple Heart for injuries incurred in Vietnam, as well as World War II veterans like Joe Kallist. A 98-year-old Bethel Park resident, Kallist served in the European theater, fighting in battles in France, Germany and Omaha Beach.
“I wasn’t in that first wave. If I was, I wouldn’t be here today, but I was close by,” said Kallist, who served in the Merchant Marines.
Kallist is a parade veteran, having appeared in cavalcades in Canonsburg and Pittsburgh. He is excited to make an appearance in this year’s event.
“When you are in the service, you have a lot of friends because everybody is in the same boat,” Kallist said. “I lost a lot of friends. Guys that never came back. So Memorial Day is for them,” he added.
According to Brian Peitz, first vice president of the SHMDP association, the parade is the biggest in Southwestern Pennsylvania and continues to exist thanks to unpaid volunteers and veterans, whose numbers are dwindling.
Hence, the committee must rely on citizens who see the value of the event and will take up the torch to see that it continues.
“The value of the parade is for our young folks to hear firsthand from those who have served to hear of their experiences, to hear how they have sacrificed because through their sacrifices, I believe it internally allows them to focus on different things, not necessarily sacrifices, but how they can give back to the community through service, big or small,” he said.
Jenny Wood also sees the value of the parade. She sits on the board of directors of the Mt. Lebanon Historical Society.
“We’re happy to host this event because we believe it is absolutely important. All of us have veterans in the family. Some still with us and others that are not.
“It’s for our children to understand the sacrifices they made and take a moment to reflect on the generations before us, who have contributed to this great country we live in today. Because of them, we must keep their memories alive.”
As a Scout and as a leader in Mt. Lebanon, Pietz has marched in many Memorial Day parades. Today, he helps contact marching bands, units and organizations to participate, too. Volunteers are always welcome and sponsors are always needed to get the word out, contact groups and line up parade units.
“Memorial Day really is an important holiday,” Pietz stressed. “A lot of people get misled thinking it’s a day for picnics, swimming and summer beginning. This parade is kind of a reminder of what the true meaning of the day is.”
To donate to ensure the SHMDP continues, make checks to the South Hills Memorial Committee and mail to P.O. Box 13230, Pittsburgh, PA, 15243.
Email southhillsparade@gmail.com for further information.