Aspinwall honors the fallen on Memorial Day with its 107th commemerative event
Aspinwall honored members of the military who made the ultimate sacrifice with a parade and wreath-laying ceremony Monday during its 107th Memorial Day Celebration.
A parade kicked off at noon on Commercial Avenue and proceeded throughout the borough and ended back on Commercial.
Parade organizer Barbara Leonard began volunteering in January to coordinate the nearly 30 groups and organizations that participated to remember and honor fallen soldiers.
The wreath-laying was held at the veterans memorial outside the Aspinwall American Legion Post 77 along Commercial Avenue.
Participants included the Fox Chapel Area High School Marching Band, antique cars, Scouts, first responders, animals including a horse-drawn trolley, and pipers and drummers.
Youngsters were allowed to follow the parade on their bikes, a longtime Aspinwall tradition.
A military flyover was coordinated by retired Air Force Lt. Col. Joe Posnik.
Aspinwall resident Marianne Gladstone described the parade as spectacular and expressed her thanks to Leonard for coordinating it.
“We can’t thank you enough for your hard work throughout the year,” Gladstone said. “All of the years of your hard work and dedication is appreciated and enjoyed by so many. Thank you again for organizing a perfect parade to celebrate this special day.”
Aspinwall Mayor Joe Noro said the threat of thunderstorms didn’t deter the crowd.
“The turnout was incredible — at least double from last year — and it was a fantastic ceremony,” Noro said. “The parade was very happy and fun for people of all ages.”
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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