Veterans touched by ceremony, parade at Holy Cross Academy in Ross

A time of reflection, reverence and recognition was part of the annual Veterans Day celebration and parade Nov. 7 at Holy Cross Academy in Ross.

“It’s very emotional,” said Dave W. Graver of McCandless, who was visibly moved after coming out of the church service honoring the veterans.

Graver served in the Army during the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1971, after which he joined the U.S. Army Reserves, where he served in special operations and with the military police.

“I put a lot of time in trying to save the hearts and minds of people and that’s what we did,” he said.

The students performed patriotic songs, and each veteran was recognized for their specific services in the military. This was followed by a veteran-led vehicle parade around the church and Holy Cross Academy campus along Siebert Road in Ross.

Graver participated in the parade with his restored 1943 Willys MB Jeep.

Students and teachers cheered on the veterans as they passed, waving flags and holding banners emblazoned with words of gratitude.

“This is a really special day. It’s special to a lot of people,” said Todd Ferguson, who traveled from Washington, Pa.

He served in the Navy and Marines from 1975 to 1980 and was happy to reconnect with some fellow veterans who were there last year.

“I’m certainly happy to be here,” he said.

Savannah Zuccher, a sixth grader at Holy Cross and one of the color guards, welcomed her grandfather, Robert Dzvonick, who served in the Navy and Vietnam, at the service.

“All veterans are important. They’re amazing people, and we want to honor them this day,” said Savannah, 11.

Holy Cross Academy is part of the North Hills Regional Catholic schools of Pittsburgh. Principal J. Kevin Frye said the annual event is important for both students and veterans.

“Our students are often reminded of the many in our world who need our help, and those who sacrifice for us, often unseen and too often unheralded. Our Veterans Day celebration is a reminder of the connection between our faith, sacrifice and service, and it provides an opportunity to directly honor school families in active military service and those who have served in the past,” Frye said.

Students were able to view a wartime vehicle courtesy of Tyler Leff of Ross, who lent his 1985 American General 423A-1 military truck for the event.

Leff, a fan of military vehicles, is a member of the Motion Pictures Teamsters Union 249 and rents out the truck for the film industry.

According to Leff, the vehicle has appeared in 2025’s “Superman,” “Deadly Games” and “American Rust Season 2.”