McDonald honors ‘spirit of sacrifice’
Barbara Sarrells, right, of the American Legion Post Ladies Auxiliary, and Jaymie Stevens, president of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary, place a wreath at the veterans memorial in Robinson Run Cemetery near McDonald.
McDonald Veterans Association stands at attention during the ceremony at Robinson Run Cemetery.
McDonald Veterans Association leads a parade through McDonald Monday.
Sam Openbrower of McDonald shows his granddaughters Olivia Brunk, 6, left, and Lindsey, 5, his name on the McDonald honor roll Monday.
The residents of McDonald and surrounding communities took time away from picnics and other plans for Memorial Day to remember the veterans who served in the military and to the ones who gave their lives for our nation’s freedom.
“Today, we gather here to honor the men and women who sacrificed their lives in order that we may live with peace in freedom,” said Patrick Powell, a member of McDonald Veterans Association during a ceremony Monday at the McDonald Honor Roll on East Lincoln Avenue outside the Ernest Phillips American Legion Post 485. The veterans association, which includes members of the legion as well as the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 587, sponsored the parade and ceremonies.
The Rev. Barry Givner, pastor of First McDonald Baptist Church, told those gathered that they were brought together in great and sacred trust.
“We are here to remember those who gave their lives in all that American stands for,” Givner said. “We remember their spirit of sacrifice and valor.”
District Judge Anthony Saveikis, whose area includes the Allegheny County section of McDonald, said the residents of this community continue to serve and bleed for this nation.
“We have some of the most patriotic folks,” Saveikis said to the group gathered for a ceremony at Robinson Run Cemetery in South Fayette Township.
While the day is one to honor those veterans and their families who made the ultimate sacrifice, Saveikis said it is a national disgrace that homeless veterans live in the community.
“They are the ones who provided us with this country of liberty,” Saveikis said.
Saveikis urged those gathered to support their local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign War posts.
“Help them out, even if it is just to buy a fish sandwich during one of their fish fries,” the district judge said. “They are the fabric of support for our veterans.”
Special recognition and a citation was given to 88-year-old Charles R. Smith Sr. of McDonald during the ceremony at the honor roll. Smith enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943 after graduating from high school. Following basic and advanced training in heavy equipment, Smith was sent to the European Theater Oct. 14, 1944, and was attached to the 9th Air Force in the Battle of the Rhine and Central Europe.
Smith served in Germany, France, Italy, Holland, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Belgium. He received the Central European Medal with two bronze stars, the American Theater Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the European Occupational Medal and the World War II Victor Medal with cluster.