Veterans honored with parade and program
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Ruth A. Fairchild, state senior vice-commander for Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars, gives the keynote address during the closing ceremony of the Fayette County Veterans Day Parade in Connellsville, Friday.
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Members of Rolling Thunder show their support and roll through Connellsville during the Fayette County Veterans Day parade.
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Leonard Dulik, American Legion Post 301 vice-commander, places a wreath at the Connellsville War Memorial during the closing ceremonies following the Fayette County Veterans Day Parade in Connellsville.
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Volunteer firefighters from New Haven Hose Company march in the Fayette County Veterans Day Parade in Connellsville Friday morning.
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Shawn Peck (left) and Dale Barnhart express their gratitude toward veterans while riding on a parade float, Friday morning, in the Fayette County Veterans Day Parade.
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Leonard Dulik, American Legion Post 301 vice-commander, tosses a wreath into the Youghiogheny River in a symbolic gesture to remember those veterans that served at sea before the start of the Fayette County Veterans Day Parade in Connellsville Friday.
CONNELLSVILLE — The courage and commitment of local men and women who left their families and communities to preserve freedom at home and abroad was celebrated Friday as Fayette County marked Veterans Day.
Hundreds gathered alongside the flag-lined streets of Connellsville and cheered as the veterans passed by. Taking part in the mid-morning parade were dozens of veterans organizations, marching bands, civic organizations, fire departments, school groups and city officials.
The yearly tribute alternates between Masontown, Uniontown and Connellsville. The Connellsville Veterans Commission was host for this year’s event.
“It is fitting that (the Veterans Day ceremony) is being held in Connellsville,” said Gerald Browell, Vietnam veteran and program master of ceremonies, noting that it was Connellsville native Max C. Floto, a World War I veteran, who has been designated by Congress as the “Father of Veterans Day” and Connellsville as its place of inception.
First known as “Armistice Day” in recognition of the armistice that was signed on Nov. 11, 1918, the Pennsylvania commemoration for World War I veterans was made a national holiday in 1938. It became known as Veterans Day in 1954.
“On the 11th day of the 11 month of 2011, what better place to celebrate Veterans Day than Connellsville, Pa.,” said Browell.
Keynote speaker for the program was Ruth Fairchild, VFW state senior vice-commander.
Fairchild, of New Castle, is the first female veteran and Iraq War veteran elected to serve as state junior vice commander, will become commander in 2012.
“Veterans Day serves a very important purpose,” said Fairchild. “It is not only a day to recognize those that have given the ultimate sacrifice, but to also recognize and give thanks to those that have worn the uniform.”
Countless men and women have signed on to serve their country in various locations around the world, said Fairchild, and today, many in the National Guard and Reserves are serving multiple tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“These comrades sacrifice twice when called for boots down on foreign land,” she said. “These men and women, without questioning, prepare their bag, leave their civilian jobs and report for duty.”
Some return to find their jobs now being performed by others and in other cases find that because of injuries sustained in combat, they are unable to fulfill the duties of the job.
Fairchild challenged the audience to continue to pay tribute to those that have served by offering assistance in time of need or aiding the family of a deployed soldier, airman or Marine.
“We have many wounded veterans in need of compassion,” she said. “If you are a veteran, please share your story with others.
“Let everyone know what you have done, so they can see the many faces of military service and appreciate the service of their neighbors,” she added.
Also taking part in the program were the Rev. Will Hough, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Connellsville; Leonard Dulik, American Legion Post 301 vice commander; Connellsville Area Senior High School marching band; Molinaro Band; Boy Scout Troop 164; and the Connellsville Area Senior High School chorale.