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By Paul Chasko 

Memorial Day weekend in the Mon Valley was a busy one for the many veterans groups taking part in ceremonies throughout the area. On Sunday, the groups visited the four cemeteries in the Union-Finley area, where many veterans are interred, as well as the Finleyville Veterans' Memorial, where wreaths were placed to honor servicemen and servicewomen.

The Mon Valley Honor Guard fires a salute at the Monongahela Cemetery Veterans' Memorial.

These memorial services were organized by the American Legion Post 613 of Finleyville, assisted by the Mon Valley Honor Guard. Prior to the Memorial Day weekend, members of the Morrison Ritchey Post 613 of the American Legion and family members honored fallen servicemen and servicewomen by placing new flags on their graves in the Union-Finley area.

Like many other communities, Monongahela began its Memorial Day with a parade through town with many veterans groups participating. Later in the morning there was a well-attended ceremony at the Veteran's Memorial in Monongahela Cemetery – over 7,500 veterans are interred at the Monongahela Cemetery.

The grassy knoll opposite the memorial stage was packed with folks listening to the various dignitaries reminding them of the sacrifices made by the veterans now interred in their home soil. Local, county and state government representatives were there, and the crowd listened to patriotic songs performed by the Ringgold High School Band and vocalists. Similar ceremonies were also conducted at other memorial sites throughout the Mon Valley.

Groups taking part in the parade and ceremonies were the Mon Valley Leathernecks, the Mon Valley Honor Guard, the Mon Valley Shipmates, the Ringgold High School Marching Band, and American Legion Posts 302, 949 and 613, among others.

Click on "Gallery" for more photos of these events by Paul Chasko

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