Multiple Memorial Day tributes planned Monday in Vandergrift, Allegheny Township

A multi-stop morning of patriotic tributes is scheduled in Vandergrift and Allegheny Township on Memorial Day.

The Vandergrift Joint Veterans, including the American Legion Post 114, Vandergrift VFW 566 and the Vandergrift Veterans Honor Guard, will host a half-day morning program Monday to honor American veterans who fought and died in wars.

Mike Reilly, commander of the Vandergrift Honor Guard and an Air Force veteran, stressed the importance of the distinction between Memorial Day and Veterans Day, which is meant to honor all U.S. military veterans.

“Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the U.S. for mourning the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States armed forces,” Reilly said.

The rain-or-shine event is open to the public. Reilly said attendance was up last year with about 100 people attending.

“We’re still not back up to pre-covid numbers,” he said. “We used to get about 300 people attending.”

Free transportation via multiple large-passenger vans will be provided by Byers Busing. They will depart at 7:30 a.m. from the Vandergrift VFW at 141 Sumner Ave.

Participants may also choose to drive their own cars.

The memorials will begin with a seven-stop service route leaving at 7:45 a.m. It will include a short prayer; a 21-gun salute; the playing of taps; and a laying of the wreath at North Vandergrift Monument, the middle of the Vandergrift bridge, the monument honoring veterans in Allegheny Township, Kiski Area High School driveway circle, Vandergrift and St. Gertrude cemeteries, and the East Vandergrift Monument.

Reilly said a floater wreath will be tossed from the middle of the Vandergrift Bridge into the Kiski River to honor military service members lost at sea.

The 21-gun salutes will be conducted by the Vandergrift Veteran Honors Guard.

A free breakfast will follow at 9 a.m. at the VFW social hall for those participating in the morning tribute services.

The parade returns this year, and organizers are hoping spectators line the streets of Vandergrift in support of our nation’s fallen.

Parade participants will organize at a staging area located in the parking lot at Kiski Area East Primary School at 420 Franklin Ave.

This year, The Kiski Area High School band returns, along with the Kiski Area High School Jr. ROTC and the Kiski Area Cavalier Baseball team.

Vandergrift councilwoman Daisha Clayton is optimistic attendance will be robust this year.

“I hope that our community comes out in droves to honor our veterans and to remember the countless men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” Clayton said.

The parade begins at 10:15 a.m. and will travel from the school on Franklin Avenue to Grant Avenue and culminate at the Casino Theater, where a service will be held at 11 a.m.

Oklahoma Borough resident and Army veteran Bob Skwirut, a retired Apollo-Ridge School District teacher, will serve as guest speaker at the service.

He said it’s an “honor” to speak at the Memorial Day service.

Skwirut served in Thailand during the Vietnam War.

“It’s my way of honoring our fallen comrades,” he said.

For more information on the event, email mjreilly138@gmail.com.