Patriotism was on full display Monday for the annual Memorial Day parade in Lower Burrell.

A bigger-than-ever crowd lined both sides of Leechburg Road to cheer, applaud, wave and honor those military members who lost their lives.

“We have no way to truly measure, but that was the most people I’ve seen attend in 11 years of parades,” Lower Burrell Mayor Chris Fabry said after the parade. “I’m so proud to represent the people of Lower Burrell. We’re a tight-knit community.”

Many of the parade goers donned festive red, white and blue outfits and accessories for the parade that lasted more than an hour and included a first-time-ever flyover of a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from the 911th Airlift Wing, based at Pittsburgh International Airport.

The flyover included parades and Memorial Day services across Southwestern Pennsylvania.

“We are deeply honored to have the U.S. Air Force join us in commemorating Memorial Day. Their presence adds a profound sense of reverence to our parade, allowing our community to come together and pay tribute to the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” Fabry said.

A patriotic ???????? military flyover this morning from the 911th featuring a C-17 over the annual Memorial Day parade route along Leechburg Road in Lower Burrell. ⁦@VNDNews⁩ ⁦@TribLIVE⁩ ⁦@AirForceTimes⁩ ⁦@TribWestmoreCo⁩ ⁦@LowerBurrell⁩ pic.twitter.com/O95YwmdIRh

— Reporter Joyce Hanz (@hanz_joyce) May 27, 2024

The Stadelmaier family attended from Harrison, and Arrow Stadelmaier, 2, held a practice parade with her animals before the event and was prepped to load up on candy thrown from parade participants.

“We need to remember what it’s really about. It’s not just a parade and candy,” mom Erin Stadelmaier said.

Sharon Petricca of Plum donned a red poppy pin in remembrance of her parents, both of whom served in the Army and are deceased.

Petricca has attended the Lower Burrell Memorial Day parade for about a decade and praised the sense of camaraderie at the event.

“You need to do this. They gave up their lives,” Petricca said of attending Memorial Day events and honoring the fallen.

Joyce Hanz | TRIBLIVE Lower Burrell’s Memorial Day parade was packed with spectators Monday.  

Aly Czwalga, 3, of Lower Burrell dressed up in a fancy blue dress to attend her first parade ever with her grandmother Audrey Czwalga by her side.

“I want to get candy, lollipops, and I don’t know what’s gonna happen,” Aly said.

Audrey Czwalga is a parade regular.

“It brings back all the great memories of soldiers and it’s good to have those memories. It’s really about the fallen soldiers and remembering them.”

The parade was one element of a morning packed with tributes that included a morning ceremony at Greenwood Cemetery and a post-parade memorial ceremony held at the American Legion in Lower Burrell.

“The amount of people who came out for the parade and service is inspiring. It shows how much they care and respect the sacrifices made for our freedoms,” Fabry said.

Joyce Hanz | TRIBLIVE Billie Jo Easterlin of Lower Burrell marches Monday during the city’s annual Memorial Day parade.  

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