Patriotism Parade
C it y o f Mc Kee spo rt N e ws
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The City of McKeesport hosted its third annual Patriotism
Parade on September 11 – filling Renziehausen Park with
the red, white and blue of a patriotic procession, concert and
fireworks display.
The parade included public safety and military personnel,
local government officials, and children from the across
McKeesport Area School District. They traveled Eden Park
Boulevard to Tulip Drive and made their way through the park
on Arboretum Drive.
After the procession, local officials shared their
thoughts on the events of 9/11, the meaning of
patriotism, and American values. State Rep. Marc
Gergely, D-White Oak, served as the event’s keynote
speaker.
“As we reflect and mourn the losses that our great
nation suffered on September 11, 2001, we must also
celebrate the patriotism that we all have in our hearts,”
Rep. Gergely said. “This is an opportunity for me to
think about what patriotism really means.”
Rep. Gergely lost a dear friend in the terrorist attack
on New York City’s World Trade Center. William Sugra,
Gergely’s fraternity brother at the Indiana University
of Pennsylvania, worked for Cantor Fitzgerald International in
Tower One and was killed when the planes struck.
“Every year, I think about him and how great of a guy he
was,” Gergely. “This is how we should remember our fellow
Americans – the everyday people, the first responders – who
lost their lives that day. We continue to fight terrorism, and we
should never forget.”
McKeesport welcomed veterans and community members to Memorial Park along Lysle Boulevard
for the city’s annual Veterans Day ceremony.
City officials were proud to introduce U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. (retired) Jason DeFelice, a
McKeesport native who heads the new Junior ROTC program at McKeesport Area High School.
“When I was a student at McKeesport High School, up until I joined the Air Force in 1991 … I viewed
Veterans Day just as the majority of students do today – just another day off,” DeFelice said. “However,
once I graduated from boot camp, it took on a whole new meaning. I soon realized
that Veterans Day was a chance to celebrate, reflect back on every (military) member
who has ever served, and thank all veterans for their service to our great country.”
After 24 years of active duty, DeFelice knew it was time to retire and begin a new
career. He was moved to tears as he reflected on returning to his alma mater to share
with fellow McKeesport Area students the wealth of knowledge and experience he
gained in the Air Force.
“I flew home to McKeesport for a job interview, and I remember sitting in my
parents’ house,” he said. “My grandfather, a decorated World War II Purple Heart
veteran, said to me, ‘You should teach Air Force JROTC at your old high school.’”
DeFelice did the research to make his grandfather’s idea a reality. Upon accepting
this new position, he promised to create the best program possible for McKeesport
Area students. He want them to become great citizens and community leaders who
know their purpose in life.
With the group in its infancy, students did not participate in the Veterans Day
ceremony. By next year’s event, DeFelice said, they will be ready to march and carry the American flag.
Participating organizations included American Legion Post 361 of McKeesport, American Legion
Post 666 of McKeesport, American Legion Post 447 of Port Vue, Amvets Post 8, and the Liberty Boro
Veterans Association. Veterans were treated to a luncheon at the Palisades after the ceremony.
30 McKeesport Area
Veterans
Day