Memorial Day parade, commemorations returning to Vandergrift

Vandergrift’s Memorial Day parade is returning after being canceled last year because of the covid-19 pandemic.

The Vandergrift Joint Veterans — including the VFW, American Legion and Veterans Honor Guard — will host a half-day program May 31 to remember and honor the sacrifice of American veterans who fought and died in wars.

“We are trying to let as many residents as possible know that all of our activities are back to normal,” said Michael Reilly, commander of the Vandergrift Veterans Honor Guard. “The borough has a full schedule of events back on for this year.”

Vandergrift Council last week approved the Joint Veterans’ request to hold a parade.

Scheduled commemorations will take place in Vandergrift, North Vandergrift, Allegheny Township and East Vandergrift.

“Honoring the guys that went before us is something that needs to be recognized,” said Reilly, event organizer and an Air Force veteran.

Reilly said the Memorial Day parade tradition dates back more than 40 years.

He said it’s important for the general public to know the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

“A lot of people say ‘Happy Memorial Day,’ but Memorial Day isn’t happy,” Reilly said. “Memorial Day is when we remember those that didn’t come back.”

The memorials will kick off with a seven-stop morning services route departing at 7:45 a.m. at the Vandergrift VFW at 141 Sumner Ave.

The Honor Guard will deliver a short prayer and offer a three-volley rifle salute at stops in North Vandergrift, the Vandergrift Bridge, the Century 21 monument, the Kiski Area High School driveway circle monument, Vandergrift and St. Gertrude cemeteries, and the East Vandergrift monument.

Breakfast will follow at the VFW social hall for those participating in the morning tribute services.

Staging for the parade will begin at 9:35 a.m. in the parking lot at Kiski Area East Primary School at 420 Franklin Ave.

The parade is scheduled to start at 10:15 a.m. and will follow the normal route down Franklin Avenue toward the fire hall and onto Grant Avenue.

Reilly said about 80 people normally participate. Parade participants are asked to follow social-distancing guidelines.

The day will conclude with a 30-minute memorial service outside the Casino Theatre in Vandergrift.

“There’s sufficient space available on the sidewalk and street below the Casino, as well as in the Washington Avenue parking lot to allow distancing there, as well,” Reilly said.

Two wreaths will be placed at the veterans monument on the theater grounds dedicated to former Vandergrift residents who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

Additional commemorative plans include volunteers placing more than 1,700 American flags on veterans’ graves May 15 in Vandergrift and St. Gertrude cemeteries in Vandergrift and Brookland Cemetery in Allegheny Township. The flags were paid for by the Westmoreland County Veterans Office.