Remember those who served
National Cemetery of the Alleghenies hosts annual Memorial Day ceremony
Those who spoke Sunday at the National Cemetery for the Alleghenies shared a similar message: When celebrating Memorial Day remember those who gave their lives while fighting for their country.
鈥淭he biggest thing about Memorial Day is (to honor) those who died in combat,鈥� said Rocky Bleier, who delivered the keynote address. 鈥淕rowing up in Appleton, Wisc., Memorial Day, in all honesty, was the end of school, the beginning of summer, waiting for the parade to get started. The pools opened up and life began all over again for that summer. Then it changed. The true meaning didn鈥檛 sink in until you were called to serve your country. Memorial Day, think about it, is dedicated to those who died while serving in the armed forces.鈥�
A large crowd was on hand for the cemetery鈥檚 annual Memorial Day tribute, including veterans from every arm of the military, who were honored in a salute by the South Hills Keystone Chorus.
Bleier, a four-time Super Bowl champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is a U.S. Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War. He was wounded in battle, suffering a severe foot injury resulting from an enemy grenade.
鈥淭his day is meant to be a time for reflection or contemplation more than celebration,鈥� Bleier said 鈥淚t鈥檚 a time to honor those who gave their lives to defend their country. It also serves as a reminder of the cost of freedom and the dedication of those who have served. It鈥檚 a day to remember the sacrifices of military personnel, and more importantly, their families.鈥�
Among the veterans in the crowd Sunday were George Herwig, 102, of Washington. Herwig was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard in World War II. His daughter, Patti Balestra, also of Washington, said her father attends the ceremony each year.
鈥淭o him, it means everything,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e loves his country so very much. 鈥� He has been working toward it in physical therapy for this day, to be able to stand, to be able to be here. That鈥檚 what it means to him.鈥�
Edward Hajduk, cemetery director, all spoke.
鈥淢emorial Day is a day we set aside to pay tribute to the fallen heroes whose valor echoes throughout the generations,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e honor the brave men and women who have given their lives in service to our nation. 鈥� Their sacrifices have preserved our freedoms, shaped the course of history and defined who we are as a nation.鈥�
Hajduk noted that this year marks three important milestones 鈥� the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the 80th anniversary of the nation鈥檚 World War II victory and the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.
鈥淓ach represents a chapter in the story of American sacrifice that binds us together and prompts us to reflect on the price of liberty,鈥� Hajduk said.
State Sen. Camera Bartolotta stressed, 鈥淚t is our duty to keep their memory alive. A soldier dies twice 鈥� once when they breathe their last breath and the second time is the last time their name is uttered aloud. There are some people in this cemetery who have been lost or forgotten for a very long time. Say their names. Think about them.鈥�
Maj. Gen. John R. Pippy, the 55th adjutant general of Pennsylvania, reminded that Memorial Day is more than just a day on the calendar for the military.
鈥淲e pause not only to remember, but to reaffirm our promise that the sacrifices here will never be forgotten,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he men and women we honor gave everything, not for recognition or reward, but so that we may live in freedom and peace.鈥�
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