the almanac J U N E 1, 2025
SOUTH HILLS COMMUNITY NEWS
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Remembering the fallen
PHOTOS: ELEANOR BAILEY/THE ALMANAC
Representatives from each of the United States military units carry the flag of their respective branches during the Bethel Park Memorial Day parade.
Memorial Day marks solemn occasion By Eleanor Bailey Almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.net
Chris Connor kept a stiff upper lip but her eyes betrayed her. As a bugler played “Taps” during the closing of the annual Bethel Park Memorial Day Ceremony, tears were hard to hold back as the Women’s Army Corps veteran saluted. “It is very emotional,” Connor admitted. “It’s very heavy to carry this burden of all the people that are gone.” The onus is on David Campbell too. He remained speechless during the annual commemoration of all of America’s servicemen who were killed in conflicts. A Vietnam veteran, Campbell earned a Purple Heart during Desert Storm, but 13 people, including two women, from his unit were killed by a scud missile attack in Saudi Arabia in 1991. “This is hard for him because of all the people that he knew that he lost,” said Campbell’s wife, Gail. “It’s a hard day, but it’s not about him. It’s about honoring those people. When you think about what happened in all the years and all the wars, it’s sad. It’s something though you don’t want to ever forget. That’s why Memorial Day is so important. It’s remembering all the people that died for this country.” From the Fife family that served in the Revolutionary War through the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Bethel Park
PHOTOS: PAUL PATERRA/OBSERVER-REPORTER
Rocky Bleier poses for a photo with George Herwig, a 102-year-old World War II veteran from Washington.
A memorable holiday for Bleier By Eleanor Bailey and Paul Paterra Staff writers
newsroom@observer-reporter.com
After placing a wreath at the Bethel Park Veterans Memorial, Chris Connor salutes while “Taps” is played to close out the annual Memorial Day Ceremony. Connor is a veteran of the women’s Army Corps.
has had its share of casualties. Forty-three made the ultimate sacrifice and their names were read during the Fallen Heroes segment of the memorial program held May 26 at the Bethel Park Veterans Memorial. In addition to the Placing of the Wreath ceremony and roll call, the Bethel Park Historical Society recognized Jacob and Andrew Urbas. The brothers were killed 210 days apart during World War II. They lived in the Coverdale section of the municipality with their mother, Mary, and two other siblings, Frank and Mary, along with their stepfather, Paul. Frank received Dick Jewell delivers remarks during the Bethel Park a Purple Heart and Mary was a member of the Women’s Memorial Day Ceremony held May 26 at the Veterans Memorial Plaza. SEE SOLEMN PAGE A2
The Bethel Park High School Top 21 Chorus sang the national anthem along with an arrangement of patriotic songs during a Memorial Day Ceremony held May 26 at the Bethel Park Veterans’ Memorial.
It was a busy Memorial Day weekend for Rocky Bleier. The four-time Super Bowl champion from the Pittsburgh Steeler served as the grand marshal of the South Hill Memorial Day Parade held May 26 through Brookline, Dormont and Mt. Lebanon. On May 25, he delivered keynote remarks during a Memorial Day remembrance at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. “The biggest thing about Memorial Day is (to honor) those who died in combat,” Bleier said. “Growing up in Appleton, Wisc., Memorial Day, in all honesty, was the end of school, the beginning of summer, waiting for the parade to get started. The pools opened up and life began all over again for that summer. Then it changed. The true meaning didn’t sink in until you were called to serve your country. Memorial Day, think about it, is dedicated to those who died while serving in the armed forces.” Bleier survived the Vietnam War. An Army veteran, he was wounded in battle, suffering a severe foot injury resulting
from an enemy grenade. He recovered to enjoy a stellar career as a running back for the Steelers. During the Memorial Day tribute at the cemetery, the South Hills Keystone Chorus saluted the veterans, who represented all branches of the military, and Bleier spoke on the true meaning of the holiday. “This day is meant to be a time for reflection or contemplation more than celebration,” he said “It’s a time to honor those who gave their lives to defend their country. It also serves as a reminder of the cost of freedom and the dedication of those who have served. It’s a day to remember the sacrifices of military personnel, and more importantly, their families.” Bleier resides in Mt. Lebanon and the township took time to honor its own during its Memorial Day commemoration. Bleier served as the grand marshal of the longest and oldest parade in the South Hills. After a 21-gun salute for a dedication of a special World War I memorial and the playing of “Taps,” the cavalcade departed Brookline Boulevard and proceeded to Pioneer Avenue onto West Liberty SEE BLEIER PAGE A2
Rocky Bleier delivers remarks during a ceremony at the Cemetery of The Alleghenies.
CANONSBURG Annual Night of Giving event shatters record for donations PAGE A3 What’s happening, B3
SPORTS Mt. Lebanon girls edge Pine-Richland for WPIAL title PAGE B1 Real estate transactions, A6
SCHOOL NEWS Fort Couch robotics team excels at competition PAGE B3 Classifieds, B4-6