Veterans Day observances set
Marines stand at attention at the Upper St. Clair memorial. Veterans will be recognized again this year during a special ceremony to be held at 9:30 p.m. Nov. 10.
Patrons participate in a flag folding event at the Heinz History Center. The museum will again hold the annual function in honor of Veterans Day at 11 a.m. Nov. 11.
A Veterans Day observance to honor veterans of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces is planned for 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 10 at the Upper St. Clair Veterans Park, 1820 McLaughlin Run Road. The program will feature musical performances by Upper St. Clair High School’s marching band and Chanteclairs.
The park, located adjacent to the township’s municipal building and library, features seven monuments, one for each branch of the military – U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and the National Guard.
Retired U.S. Army Colonel Bernard Lindstrom is the keynote speaker.
Lindstrom is a Western Pennsylvania native, commissioned through the U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training Corps. He served in the engineer regiment and the Army Corps of Engineers for 25 years.
In addition, he served in key command and leadership assignments at numerous posts, camps and installations across the globe including Korea, Germany, the Balkans and Iraq.
His education includes a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Mercer University, a master’s in business administration from Benedictine College and a master’s in strategic studies, energy and environment from United States Army War College.
In 2012, he returned to the area and settled in Upper St. Clair with his wife, Cara, and their three children John, Alexander and Ray. Lindstrom serves as the president of the Rotary of Upper St. Clair-Bethel Park Breakfast Club.
Parking will be available in the side lot of the municipal building, near Clair’s Kennel and the current library entrance.
The event, which is open to the public, is co-hosted by the Upper St. Clair School District and Upper St. Clair Township.
MT. LEBANONNeighboring Mt. Lebanon will recognition Veterans Day with a celebration at 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10 at the Veterans Memorial, located off Cedar Boulevard, near the recreation center.
Commissioner Steve Silverman will deliver the welcome while Bower Hill Community Church pastor Brian Snyder will give the invocation and benediction.
Boys Scout Troop 284 will present the colors and lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The Mt. Lebanon High School Triple Trio will sing the national anthem as well as “God Bless America.”
Stephen Wells from the U.S. Air Force is the keynote speaker.
BETHEL PARKBethel Park Chamber will host its annual Veterans Day lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10 at the community center.
Veterans attend for free. Guests are $20.
Register online at www.bpchamber.org or call 412-595-8361 for reservations.
Haya Eason will be the honored guest. A Marine veteran, she served nine years of active duty in the field of military administration. A Bethel Park resident and municipal employee, Eason is a veteran service officer with American Legion Post 760 in Bethel Park and recording secretary with Marine Corps League Detachment 726 South Hills.
“It is a great privilege to honor our own Haya Eason as speaker at this year’s luncheon,” said Chamber Director Connie Ruhl.
The Chamber also sponsors Paws for Vets, offering an opportunity for members and the public to sponsor companion animals for veterans in partnership with Animal Friends. Visit www.bpchamber.org for more details.
Also in Bethel Park, Independence Middle School will host its annual Veterans Day Pancakes and Sausage Breakfast for veterans and active service members from 8 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7, in the cafeteria. For reservations, email makel.jennifer@bphawks.org.
SPRN EVENTThe Southwestern Pennsylvania Registered Nurses Club will hold its Veterans Day Memorial Program at noon Saturday, Nov. 11 at the Nurses War Memorial Monuments on Corrigan Drive in South Park.
All military nurses will be honored and a wreath will be placed at the monuments.
VFW Post 6664, Library, will also participate to honor all military and place a wreath at their Purple Heart Monument.
Patricia Jess MSN, RN, U.S. Air Force, USAF reserve and PaANG is the guest of honor.
PARADEThe Women’s Army Corps Veterans’ Association-Army Women United will march in the Pittsburgh Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 11. The parade is held rain or shine and starts at 10:30 a.m. at the intersection of 10th and Liberty Avenue and will proceed along Liberty.
John Banaszak of McMurray will serve as grand marshal. The former Pittsburgh Steeler and three-time Super Bowl champion served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was inducted into the Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.
The Marine Corps is this year’s featured military branch. As always, the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard will also be represented. This year’s theme is Special Recognition and Dedication to World War II Veterans.
The group recently attended the Veterans Resource Fair at the Southwestern Veterans Center, passing out information and gifting soldier prayer cards to veterans. They also sold military bracelets and Sarris candy.
FLAG FOLDINGA special Veterans Day flag folding ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 at the Heinz History Center.
Visitors and veterans alike will help ceremoniously unfurl and fold a giant 36-foot American flag in the museum’s first floor Great Hall.
The flag folding ceremony is part of the History Center’s America 101 civics initiative, which empowers citizens to act on the promise of the country’s founders, enabling people today to write the next chapter of democracy. The initiative encourages visitors to learn more about history and civics through U.S. citizenship ceremonies, public programs, special exhibitions, digital learning tools, and more.
All visitors can view and participate in the flag folding ceremony free of charge, but regular admission applies to access exhibitions. However, to honor their service, all veterans will receive free admission throughout the day.
Visitors can also explore exhibitions that examine the region’s impact on U.S. conflicts from the French & Indian War through World War II.
A new “Wars of Empire of Empire & Liberty” exhibition, developed in partnership with the Museum of the American Revolution features more than 25 works of art by nationally renowned historical artist Don Troiani and shows how the French & Indian War and the Revolutionary War reshaped the world and gave rise to a new nation.
Visit heinzhistorycenter.org/events for more information.
PASTA MEALOur Lady of Hope Parish will recognize and thank all members of the Armed Forces on Saturday, Nov. 11. After a 4 p.m. Mass at St. Valentine Church on Ohio Street, a pasta dinner will be held at 5 p.m. in Frawley Hall in Bethel Park.
Email cvater@olhphg.org or call 412-835-4415, ext. 7 to make a reservation.