Memorial Day parades and ceremonies honoring fallen members of the U.S. Armed Forces were held throughout the municipalities of the Fox Chapel Area School District.
“As a community, we stand together in remembrance, respect and sincere appreciation for all who have served and sacrificed in defense of our country,” Sharpsburg Mayor Kayla Portis said.
Aspinwall, Blawnox, Etna, O’Hara and Sharpsburg hosted parades and services on May 25.
New flags and flower tributes recently were installed at the memorial outside American Legion Post 77 in Aspinwall.
Fox Chapel Mayor Jonathan Colton and Aspinwall Mayor Scott Zimmermann were among the guest speakers.
Aspinwall’s longtime Memorial Day coordinator, Barbara Leonard, volunteered for her 11th year.
Aspinwall Councilman Louis Curcio noted the event is one of the most anticipated and best days of the year.
“The tradition of a ceremony and parade, where we can honor our local heroes of both past and present, has truly been such a special event year in and year out,” Curcio said.
In Blawnox, military banners recently were installed along borough streets, and the Blawnox parade route ran along Freeport Road.
Participants included the Fox Chapel Area High School marching band and cheerleaders, the Blawnox Garden Club, Pittsburgh Samba Group and numerous emergency responders and veterans from surrounding communities.
Etna, Sharpsburg and O’Hara hosted a joint Memorial Day week schedule of events, culminating with the parade that started at 9:30 a.m. in Etna.
Flag placements were held May 19 at Greenwood Cemetery with the Sharpsburg Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 709 and May 22 at St. Mary’s Cemetery with the Sharpsburg American Legion Post 106.
On May 23, a flag presentation and Mass honoring veterans was held at St. Nicholas Church in Millvale, the site of the famous World War II-era Maxo Vanka murals.
On May 24, American Legion Post 106 in Sharpsburg sponsored a veterans lunch and wreath laying ceremony at the borough’s war memorial.
Portis said the events provided a unifying way for area residents to honor the fallen.
“The borough of Sharpsburg extends its deepest gratitude to our veterans and active-duty service members for their courage, selfless service and enduring commitment to safeguarding the freedoms we hold dear,” she said. “The Memorial Day Parade holds profound significance in the borough. It serves as a solemn occasion for our community to unite in honoring the extraordinary sacrifices of the fallen men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation, while also recognizing the dedication and commitment of those who continue to serve today.”
