West Mifflin, VFW 914 Honor Memorial Day At Mitchell Paige Park

At Mitchell Paige Memorial Park May 25, West Mifflin Borough and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 Intrepid honored military personnel who died defending the liberties that United States citizens enjoy. The 10 a.m. ceremony featured Memorial Day tributes made by local elected officials, the West Mifflin Area High School Air Force JROTC Corps of Cadets, members of Boy Scout Troop 1111 and a keynote address by retired Army Major and VFW District 29 Commander, William Roland.

Roland, who served nine years in the Navy as well as 17 years in the Army, emphasized in his remarks that the benefits of living in the United States have always inspired citizens to come to its defense.

“From the earliest days of America’s founding, our great nation has been blessed with generation after generation of patriots willing to lay down their lives in defense of our freedom and way of life,” said Roland, a Kosovo Campaign and Global War On Terrorism veteran. “We are truly fortunate to live in a country worth fighting for … to be afforded a way of life worth dying for.”

He added that United States soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines also have a tradition of helping those seeking freedom in other countries.

“Millions of men and women have selflessly answered the call of nations in need,” Roland said. “Throughout our history they’ve fought for a myriad of reasons: to gain independence, to maintain the union, and to help free the world from tyranny, oppression and evil.”

Then the retired major touched on the solemnness of the day.

“Today, we pay tribute to those heroic patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice … who bravely rose up and fought for something greater than themselves, protecting a home to which they never returned,” continued Roland. “We honor their service, mourn their loss, and remember the families they left behind.”

Following Roland’s remarks, comments and acknowledgements were made by Allegheny County District 9 Council Representative Robert J. Macey, Pennsylvania House District 38 Representative William C. Kortz II, Pennsylvania House District 35 Representative Austin A. Davis and Homestead Mayor Betty Esper. The names of deceased local veterans were then read by VFW Post 914 Commander Jake Bradich.

The roll call carried with it an air of poignancy. For each name read by Bradich, Navy veteran and VFW Post 914 Quartermaster Gary Ruston would strike a small ship’s bell that would toll in remembrance of service and sacrifice.

A wreath laying ceremony followed, as well as the playing of ‘Taps’. Once these tributes were completed, a rifle salute was presented by three members of the VFW Post 914 honor guard.

During the event, the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ was sung by West Mifflin Area High School junior and AFJROTC Cadet Brittany Velez. Acknowledgements were given by VFW Post 914 Chaplain Eugene Staudt, who served as Master of Ceremonies, and also led the singing of ‘America The Beautiful’ and Amazing Grace.’ Chaplain Staudt also gave the invocation and the benediction. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Boy Scout Troop 1111, and the colors were posted and retired by the West Mifflin Air Force JROTC.

For more information about VFW Post 914 and its activities, visit the group’s website at: http://traa.weebly.com/vfw-post-914.html, or contact VFW Post 914 Commander Bradich at: 412 508-1313.