Veterans key to U.S. freedom
Washington County Detachment of the U.S. Marine Corps League member Sandy Young of Washington plays TAPS while other members salute.
Above, Washington County Detachment of the U.S. Marine Corps League member Sandy Young of Washington plays TAPS while other members stand by. At left, Kate Matthews of South Park plays the bagpipe.
It was time to honor the dead and recognize the living members of the U.S. military whose service has kept the United States free for more than 250 years.
Hundreds of people gathered Sunday at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Cecil Township for its Veterans Day ceremony. Warm temperatures and sunny skies only added to the tribute.
“It’s a human tragedy that we need a military. But it’s a human reality that we need a strong one,” said Civilian Aide Emeritus to the Secretary of the Army for Western Pennsylvania John E. Spisso, guest speaker. “We’re here honoring our veterans, but we don’t honor war. We seek peace, not conquest.”
Spisso of Unity Township, Westmoreland County, served in World War II, fighting in the Battle of Bataan in the Pacific Theater. Spisso reminded attendees the United States is currently at war, and there are U.S. Army personnel in 82 countries around the world.
And while Veterans Day is to honor all of those who have served or are serving, Spisso said it’s “our future veterans” who will be relied on to fight and win the nation’s wars and protect “our beautiful America.”
Other speakers included Ronald M. Hesdalen, cemetery director; Congressman Tim Murphy; and U.S. Army Chaplain Capt. Paul Dordal of the Veterans Administration Healthcare System in Pittsburgh.
While all of the speakers offered touching words in honor of the veterans, attendees broke out into tears during the rifle salute by the Washington County Detachment 1138 of the U.S. Marine Corps League and the playing of TAPS by detachment member Sandy Young of Washington.
The salute was followed by a performance by bagpiper Kate Matthews of South Park, who played versions of all the military branches’ theme songs. Matthews is with the Department of Veterans Affairs.