Carmichaels veterans honored with event
A shooting in Canonsburg Nov. 10 around 3 a.m., which left one police officer dead, one wounded and two others dead was the result of a domestic violence issue. The officers reported to the scene in response to a 911 call at 3:13 a.m.
Local Canonsburg police officer, Scott Bashioum, lost his life due to an “ambushed” shooting, officials said. Both Bashioum and the second officer, who was later revealed as James Saieva Jr., were said to be fired at immediately after arriving at the duplex.
Bashioum, 52, a father of four, died shortly after being taken to Canonsburg Hospital. He was a seven-year police veteran. The second officer, Saieva, was flown to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh where he was in stable condition after having surgery. Saieva is currently re-stabilizing in the hospital “through good spirits,” according to WTAE.
The officers originally were called to the scene due to a domestic dispute involving 47-year-old Michael Cwiklinsky. According to WTAE, Cwiklinsky’s name was familiar to the police department as he had been involved in numerous cases and calls within the past month, including those of domestic abuse and public belligerence.
Cwiklinsky is the suspected shooter of both police officers with the use of a high-powered rifle. According to Trib Live, the suspected rifle was shot from the second story window of the building that the officers were responding to at the time.
Upon investigating the scene, Cwiklinsky was dead due to a self-inflicted gun-shot. His wife, Dalia Sabae, 28, was also found dead. Sabae was believed to be 3-months pregnant at the time of the incident, according to WTAE.
After the incident, many members of Canonsburg and the surrounding communities had come together in support.
There have been numerous social media posts, as well as a laser beam of blue light shooting into the sky in Canonsburg in honor of the fallen officer.
Since the shooting, funeral visitations have been set in stone for Bashioum. According to the Tribune Review, the visitation for the Canonsburg Officer was from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the Beinhauer Funeral Home in Peters Township.
His funeral occurred yesterday, Nov. 16, at noon at the Church of the Covenant in Washington, Pennsylvania.
Multiple businesses in the Washington and Canonsburg area held special events in honor of the event that took Bashioum’s life. The McDonalds in Washington gave out free coffee to police officers.Additionally, the Primanti Bro’s in Canonsburg donated 10 percent of their day’s proceeds to the fallen officer’s family.
Another event that took place in honor of Bashioum was a funeral procession yesterday, Nov. 16.
The Observer-Reporter predicted the traffic from the processional would last for over eight hours due to over 1,000 police cars taking part in
the event.
By Rachel Mangan
For the Yellow Jacket
On Friday, Nov. 11, Veterans Day, the American Legion Post 400, located in Carmichaels, Pennsylvania, held its yearly recognition event. The event was held at 11 a.m., consisting of several ceremonies and concluding with a luncheon.
One of the most crucial and recognizable parts to the program was the 21 Gun Salute. This salute was to honor the departed comrades outside of the legion post. Following the salute and back inside of the legion post, the legion band held a performance to honor the veterans and their families. The rest of the program consisted of several speakers, stations and ceremonies for people to pay their respects to.
One of these stations was the Prisoner of War and Missing In Action presentation. Commander William Ross gave the presentation. This ceremony makes those in attendance remember just how many soldiers never come home, and just how many families never get the closure of knowing the fate of their son, daughter, husband, wife, parent or other beloved family member or close friend.
Another portion of the program was the speaker of the day: Melodie Berardi, a veteran of the United States Navy.
Berardi spoke to those in attendance about the importance of honoring our soldiers and veterans. Ross also spoke of this simple, yet important act of honoring those who serve and what it means to them and their families.
One member of the Auxiliary, Kelly Ridgely, also spoke at the event. She recited a poem entitled “The Flag,” which had a strong message about what it meant to defend the American flag and what the flag represents.
”The flag is a symbol of our freedom, and others sacrifice for that freedom,” said Joy Morgan, one of the organizers and presenters of the event.
Members of the Auxiliary also helped the cause at the Prisoner of War Table by passing out cups and calendars.
Another one of the speakers at the event, William Varesko, recited a poem at the prisoner of war table.
”I had the pleasure of presenting Melodie Berardi with a homemade blanket,” said Morgan.
Towards the end of the event, those in attendance were given the opportunity to take part in a luncheon.
Each year, the American Legion Post 400 aims to have about 100 people attend the Veterans Day event and so far they have reached that goal.
Military members, veterans and their families, including children, were in attendance this year.