South Hills to remember and honor veterans on Memorial Day
“Remember and honor” is the theme of this year’s Memorial Day celebration in Bethel Park.
Richard G. Jewell will be doing both as the longtime resident and keynote speaker on May 27.
Activities commence with the morning memorial ceremony at 7:55 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Plaza, located in front of the municipal building at 5100 Library Ave. Coffee and donuts will be available in council chambers at 7:30 a.m.
A parade follows at 9 a.m. and ends at the cemetery on Bethel Church Road, where a military service will be held. A luncheon for veterans follows at noon at the Bethel Park Community Center.
“This program has become a cherished tradition for our community,” said Bethel Park Council President John Oakes.
It certainly has been for Jewell. He moved to Bethel Park in 1956 with his mother, father and brother, Paul, who passed away less than two years ago. Since his childhood home was located some 100 yards from the cemetery, Jewell attended every Memorial Day parade every year, except for the two when he served in the Army.
The high school band members who were in 12th grade in that first parade, Jewell noted, would be 85 years old now.
“So I feel like me being the speaker this year is a full-circle moment,” Jewell added.
Jewell’s speech, which will include references to Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s Duty, Honor and Country oration given in 1962 at West Point, will focus on the true meaning of the holiday.
“Memorial Day is a day to remember those who’ve died in combat or are missing in action,” he said.
Sponsored by the American Legion Post 760, the annual parade and cemetery service strives toward public awareness and remembrance of those who gave their lives for freedom, the supreme sacrifices made for the country. Marchers carrying flags representing each branch of the service will partake and escort eight to 10 riflemen serving as an honor guard.
“This program is truly unique with so many groups coming together to remember those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom,” said Bethel Park Manager Kristen Denne.
The parade, which will feature the high school marching band including the Bethettes, will travel down Library Avenue and continue through the community, turning left onto Highland Avenue and left onto Bethel Church Road, until ending at the cemetery, which is adjacent to the Bethel Presbyterian Church.
To participate in the parade, contact Haya Eason at heason@bethelparkpa.gov or call 412-831-6800, ext. 204.
Mt. Lebanon’s Memorial Day activities begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial located off Cedar Boulevard.
Commissioner Anne Swager will welcome visitors while the Rev. Laura Strauss from Sunset Hills United Presbyterian Church will deliver the invocation.
The police department’s honor guard and the high school marching band will present the colors and perform the national anthem.
U.S. Navalman Dominic J. Pellicciotti serves as the keynote speaker.
The event will conclude with a rendition of “Main Street America” arranged by Gary Gilroy and performed by the high school band, a placing of the wreath ceremony, Taps and benediction.
The South Hills Memorial Day parade begins at 10 a.m. on Brookline Boulevard and proceeds through Dormont to Mt. Lebanon Cemetery, where a service will begin at 11:30 a.m.
South Park Memorial Day Celebration, hosted by VFW Post 6664, begins with a parade at 10 a.m. along Library Road. A ceremony will be held at the monument on Brownsville Road at 11 a.m. and a luncheon follows at noon at the VFW.
In Peters Township, there will be a parade beginning at 9 a.m. at Intermediate Unit 1 at 625 E. McMurray Road. The parade will continue to VFW Auxiliary Post 764 at 460 Valley Brook Road, where a ceremony will be held.