Veterans Day observed with activities across Westmoreland County, region

Those who have served in the armed forces will be recognized during the following Veterans Day programs:

• WCCC The Center for Healthcare Solutions and Unity in the Community will hold a free Veterans Suicide Prevention Walk and Human Services Fair Friday on the main campus of Westmoreland County Community College, 145 Pavilion Lane, Youngwood, in Hempfield.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. for the walk, which begins at 10 a.m. at the Student Achievement Center, follows a trail to the Science Center and returns. The fair will follow and is scheduled to run until 3 p.m.

• Lake access The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District is waiving its day-use fees at recreational areas Saturday. The waiver covers fees typically charged for boat launch ramps and swimming beaches at 16 reservoirs.

That includes Crooked Creek Lake, Conemaugh River Lake, Loyalhanna Lake and Youghiogheny River Lake. The fee waiver does not apply to fees related to camping, shelters or events.

• Fort Necessity National Battlefield staff and volunteers will display a timeline of military service 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The free program includes the timeline, which ranges from the 18th to 20th centuries, and a display of camp life, equipment and weapons.

It will be held at the fort, 1 Washington Parkway, Farmington, Fayette County.

• Flight 93 memorial An online speaker forum will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday with several veterans who will discuss their experiences on Sept. 11, 2001, their military service afterward and how they use the story of Flight 93 National Memorial to connect with the younger generation. The program is being held by Friends of Flight 93.

Panelists are from the Sinise Foundation and the 9:57 Project. Anyone interested in attending can register here or visit flight93friends.org/events.

• Patriot Park in Somerset will be closed Sunday starting at 3 p.m. Volunteers will be removing the 7,000 flags in the Field of Heroes display. Firefighters will retire the colors and the old flags will be burnt.

The site, off Route 30 not far from Flight 93 National Memorial, honors those who fought and died during the global war on terror. It is at 6150 Lincoln Highway, Stoystown.

• The National Cemetery of the Alleghenies will hold a Veterans Day ceremony open to the public at 11 a.m. Saturday. The cemetery is at 1158 Morgan Road, Bridgeville, in Cecil Township, Washington County. Those attending are asked to carpool as parking is extremely limited.

Veterans Day activities in Westmoreland County communities include:

East Huntingdon

Dedication of the Southmoreland High School Wall of Honor will begin with a ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the high school auditorium at 2351 Route 981, Alverton. Doors open at 10 a.m. Located in the school’s student union, the wall was created to honor those who have served in the military after attending Southmoreland or its predecessor schools.

It was created through the efforts of Southmoreland staff and students, students at the Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center and a local artist and veteran. Scottdale’s nonprofit Veterans for the Park provided support.

Greensburg

The Greensburg VFW post will hold a Veterans Day service at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at 516 E. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg. An honor guard will fire a salute and will conduct a wreath-laying ceremony. Speakers will include Mayor Robb Bell.

Hempfield

Live Casino Pittsburgh will host a meal to honor veterans from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at its Sports and Social Steel City restaurant and bar. Veterans can present their military ID to receive a free meal.

Jeannette

• Unity in the Community of Southwestern Pennsylvania will hold a veterans event noon to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Jeannette Amphitheater, 501 Clay Ave. The event will include speakers and informational materials. Details: ronelb724@gmail.com.

• The Jeannette Community Band will performat 7 p.m. Sunday at the Jeannette American Legion, 109 S. Fifth St. The concert is free to the public. The program includes a ceremony by the Jeannette Combined Veterans.

Latrobe

A Veterans Day parade, sponsored by the Latrobe VFW and American Legion posts, will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday. Participants will line up at 9:30 a.m. at St. Clair and Ligonier streets and will proceed along Ligonier, Weldon and Jefferson streets. A service will follow at Veterans Memorial Plaza, at Chestnut Street and Memorial Drive. The Latrobe Legion post will provide a meal for veterans from noon to 3 p.m.

Ligonier Borough

The local American Legion and VFW posts will hold a service at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Ligonier Diamond. Speakers will include Mayor Butch Bellas and Ligonier Valley High School student Alexis Gindlesperger, cadet leader with the Junior ROTC program.

Mt. Pleasant Borough

A Veterans Day parade begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday on Eagle Street and concludes with an 11 a.m. ceremony organized by the local VFW and American Legion posts at Veterans Park on Diamond Street.

Murrysville/Delmont/Export

The White Valley AMVETS will partner with the Murrysville and Export American Legions and the Delmont VFW to host a series of events Saturday:

• Eastview Union Cemetery, 339 E. Pittsburgh St. in Delmont, 9 a.m.

• Delmont Honor Roll at the borough building memorial, 77 Greensburg St., 9:15 a.m.

• First Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 101 Church St. in Delmont, 9:30 a.m.

• Export Honor Roll at borough war memorial, in the borough parking lot on Washington Avenue, 10:15 a.m.

• Murrysville Community Park, 4056 Wiestertown Road in Murrysville, 10:30 a.m.

• White Valley AMVETS Post 85 honor roll, 2100 Carolina St. in Murrysville, 11 a.m., followed by a luncheon for veterans.

North Huntingdon

Chris Haas, a Cook Township resident, Manor native and retired Navy commander, will be the keynote speaker at Veterans Day ceremonies at 11 a.m. Saturday at the J. Howard Snyder Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 781, Billot Avenue, North Huntingdon.

Scottdale

The Scottdale Firemen’s Club is offering a spaghetti dinner and concert by CCR tribute band Pendulum on Saturday at 405 Porter Ave., Scottdale. Admission is free for veterans and one guest each, $20 per person for others. The dinner is at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door or in advance, by calling 724-220-5145.