Pittsburgh Veterans Day parade honors those who served

Pittsburgh’s annual Veterans Day Parade was back in force on Thursday, with representatives of all branches of the military in attendance to honor veterans past and present.

“We’re out here to say thank you to those who served before us,” said Master Sgt. Cameron Culliver as he prepared to march in the parade. “It really is about us paying our respects. If it wasn’t for those who served before us, we wouldn’t be here today, honestly.”

Culliver, of McKees Rocks, served for 10 years and was deployed to Afghanistan. He is now a Space Force recruiter.

The event is meant to honor veterans who came before, and to show appreciation for veterans alive today, said Col. Christian Neary, who is stationed in Coraopolis with the Army’s 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command.

“Just seeing the fanfare of the bands and the different military organizations, it just brings a sense of pride,” he said. “For me, personally, I do it for the veterans who came before me and paved the way.”

Neary, a Boston native, has participated in similar parades and tributes across the country and internationally. His 29 years of service have taken him to 55 countries, including Germany and stints in Iraq from 2003-2005.

The parade — featuring veterans, ROTC programs, authentic military Jeeps, high school marching bands and local mascots — began at 10:30 a.m. and marched down Liberty Avenue — which was lined with supporters and fellow veterans.

Donning a throwback uniform, retired Master Sgt. Danial Sham rode down Grant Street in an authentic military Jeep.

“It’s a great mix of our history, our current and the future of the military,” he said of the Veterans Day observance.

He served in the Army for 33 years, half of which was spent overseas.

Sham urged people to remember the fallen veterans — and help and support those still alive.

Sharon Dare of Bethel Park donned her father John’s Army uniform as she rode along the parade route. Her father had graduated from West Point before serving as a medic in the Korean conflict.

“He didn’t talk about it much, but he was very proud of his service,” she said of her father, a corporal.

Dare said she likes to participate in events like the parade to remember her father and celebrate the sacrifice of veterans.

“I just love the support it shows our veterans — that they have not been forgotten and that what they’ve given us is a tremendous gift, that we are free,” she said.