Veterans saluted at Cemetery of Alleghenies
On a bright but chilly, windswept morning, John Mee provided warm perspective.
“As a young man, I met some awesome veterans,” the retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel said. “Some of them would say, ‘Oh, I only work in supply, I only work in air traffic control.’
“I was shocked and could never understand why they said that. I said, ‘You are part of the greatest military organization in the world. All of you are important.’ The man who supplied me with that water bottle when I was in the desert meant everything to me.
“The military is like a car. All parts are necessary or it wouldn’t be able to function.”
As the keynote speaker, Mee spoke glowingly and eloquently about America’s armed forces during the annual Veterans Day ceremony Saturday at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. A crowd estimated at 300 attended the 45-minute salute to servicemen and servicewomen – of all branches – past, present and future. Many are veterans, including about 50 from wars ranging from Korea to the still-ongoing conflict in Afghanistan.
Mee asked vets to stand and be acknowledged, and the remaining spectators applauded enthusiastically, muffled just a bit by gloves. Some responses were accompanied by tears, from members of their families and from those who have loved ones buried on the immaculately maintained grounds.
Faren Bashioum may not have been part of the audience, but she was at the Cecil Township cemetery Saturday morning to visit an Air Force veteran interred there. She was spotted at the gravesite of her father, Scott, the Canonsburg police officer who was slain a year ago Friday. There was a candlelight vigil in the borough for him that night, hours after a bridge was named for him during a separate ceremony.
Veterans were praised from the pre-noon beginning of Saturday’s event. Ed Hajduk, the cemetery’s assistant director, preceded the colonel to the podium and established a tone of honor.
“Our nation’s veterans are ordinary citizens who did extraordinary deeds to preserve our safety and freedom,” Hajduk said. He pointed out that President Donald Trump proclaimed November to be “Veterans Month,” then added, “for us, every day is Veterans Day.”
That is Mee’s mindset as well, even after transitioning into a civilian career. This native Chicagoan served in the Marines for 24 years, largely as a helicopter pilot. and is now settled into a custom service manager’s position at Highmark – and into life in suburban Pittsburgh.
He is a staunch advocate for vets, and laments that so many struggle with their lives after the military. “About 22 veterans every day commit suicide,” the colonel said. “Depression can hit anyone, and can hit young warriors especially hard.”
Some have difficulty securing a job. Mee encouraged employers to take a closer look at this segment of society.
“If you are in position to hire people, give veterans a chance,” Mee said. “They have discipline, a solid work ethic and the ability to make sound decisions.
“Reach out to these men and women.”