Volunteers are finalizing plans for Sewickley’s 133rd Memorial Day parade and services.
Sewickley United Methodist Church will have a veteran’s service at 11 a.m. May 24.
The borough’s main streets are expected to be filled with families from throughout the Quaker Valley area on May 25, as many of the school district’s municipalities rely on Sewickley for veteran events.
“The streets are always lined (with people),” said event chair Susie Abercrombie. “There’s really not too many spaces that are left empty.”
Parade lineup is at 9 a.m. at the intersection of Broad Street and Frederick Avenue. Its route remains the same and starts at 10 a.m.
Quaker Valley High School marching band will lead participants up Broad Street. It turns left onto Thorn Street, right onto Grant Street, right onto Beaver Street, right onto Chestnut Street and concludes near the borough building.
A service follows at Wolcott Park and at the Sewickley Cemetery.
Monark Transportation will provide free buses to the cemetery.
Abercrombie, daughter of the late World War II Marine fighter pilot Ernest Williams, has been involved with the Memorial Day committee for the past decade. This is her fifth year as chairperson.
Williams, an Ambridge High School and University of Pittsburgh graduate, flew multiple missions in service to the country. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and nine air medals. He died Aug. 15, 2011, at age 90.
Abercrombie said she helps coordinate the parade and services in memory of her father.
“He was very cool,” she said. “Everybody loved him. The neighborhood kids used to come over and ask if Mr. Williams would come out and play football.”
She said participation letters went out in January and donation letters went out in March.
About 200 entities donated, including Sewickley, Glen Osborne and Bell Acres borough and Aleppo Township.
“Memorial Day is about the soldiers,” said Shannon, committee president. “It’s about remembering what they had done and we try to keep it to that. We don’t have a lot of promotions. It’s a solemn service.
“It’s always very well-attended. We have groups coming from other parts of Western Pennsylvania. We have groups here year-in and year-out. Lots of fire trucks and bands.”
Shannon said the parade and services would not be possible without volunteers.
“We have a committee of people that have done it for years,” Shannon said. “Some of them have fallen off with age. It’s a lot of work. Susie is terrific. She is reliable. It’s fully paid for by public donations. It’s not the borough’s event.”
Sewickley Mayor George Shannon looks forward to seeing a lot of familiar faces at the parade.
“I’ve lived in the bough 46 years and know a lot of people,” Shannon said. “It’s all about being together and honoring our military.”
Police from Sewickley, Edgeworth, Leetsdale as well as firefighters from Leetsdale, Bell Acres, Sewickley, Coraopolis, Ambridge, Leet and Aleppo are among the first responders that have signed up for the parade.
Other participants include River City Brass Band, Balmoral Pipes and Drums, Syria Shriners Band, Carnegie Mellon University Pipes and Drums, Pittsburgh chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Pittsburgh chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and Northgate Flames Marching Band.
People can still sign up to march. Email sabercrombie24@gmail.com for more information.
New contest
New this year is an essay contest for fourth and fifth graders at Quaker Valley, Sewickley Academy and St. James School.
The committee asked the youths what America turning 250 means to them.
The nation’s semi quincentennial is July 4.
All kids who participated are expected to march in the parade. The contest winner will read their essay at Wolcott Park as part of the service.
Abercrombie said she came up with the contest to get more youths involved in Memorial Day.
