A Day of Remembrance

Numerous people gathered at local community events Monday morning to remember fallen soldiers and pay tribute to the country’s military veterans.

The events included parades and solemn ceremonies at war memorials in each town.

Those who gathered at Collier’s war memorial listened to U.S. Army Sgt. John Manuel, who spent three tours in Iraq before retiring from the military in April. The Brookline man said he appreciated the support from the community and has a greater appreciation for what Americans have.

“Memorial Day, to me, is not about barbeques, beer and all of that good stuff,” Manuel said. “It’s all about thinking about the guys who put the uniform and didn’t come back.”

After speaking, he placed flowers on the war memorial before engaging with other veterans who also attended the ceremony.

Allegheny County Councilman Michel Finnerty also spoke and said events such as theses are important reminders of the sacrifices made by many young Americans.

“Instead of stone monuments, on this day we see the faces of all those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Finnerty said.

In Heidelberg, one of the borough’s oldest veterans spoke to the crowd gathered by the war memorials in the park. Ernie Balsarini spoke briefly, but said he hoped for a day when there would be no wars or bloodshed.

“Let us hope one day that peace on Earth and good will to man will become a reality,” Balsarini said.

Residents then were allowed to place flowers at the foot of the war memorial.

Scott Township and Bridgeville both had parades through their areas and ceremonies afterwards.

The Bridgeville parade on Route 50 snaked to Melrose Cemetery in South Fayette where the Chartiers Valley High School marching band played the National Anthem and Boy Scout Troop 2 presented the colors. Civil War re-enactors fired a volley to open the ceremony for the Bridgeville American Legion.