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Community Corner

Sewickley Kicks Off Memorial Day Weekend Celebration

A flag-retirement ceremony, patriotic music and a night capped with fireworks gets the Memorial Day weekend rolling.

As if orchestrated, a torrential downpour came to a halt around 5 p.m. Friday and the sun began shining on the events at Riverfront Park.

Food vendors, bands and those who wanted to watch the flag retirement ceremony began filling up the park. Veterans joined Girl and Boy Scouts, along with a number of local police officers, in properly disposing of more than 1,000 flags.

Friday's flag retirement ceremony was a somber, but spectacular kickoff to Sewickley's four-day weekend of events to observe  and honor those who fought for our nation.

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Sewickley Mayor Brian Jeffe spoke to the crowd about the importance of the task before Bill Fluharty, from American Legion Post 4, recited “Ragged Old Flag” while dressed in Revolutionary War-era soldier's garb.

The stripes of three flags were cut while Jeffe explained what each strip stood for. The flags were then placed in the fire.

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Flames burned bright as everyone present recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the National Anthem. Hands covered hearts and salutes graced many a brow while "Taps" played.

With a large number of flags in need of retirement, everyone present had the opportunity to add a flag to the bright flames.

An hour later, the lawn filled up. A crowd formed around the bandstand to hear Ray Ryan’s New Orleans Riverside Band as well as The Ohio Valley Band, which hit just the right note in starting off a weekend filled with remembrance.

Several organizations support the events, including Sewickley , the Sewickley Memorial Day Parade Committee and private groups.

“Memorial Day is a sacred day to all war veterans,” the borough said in a statement. “America’s collective consciousness demands that all citizens be reminded of the deaths of their fellow countrymen during wartime. By honoring the nation’s war dead, we preserve their memory and thus their service and sacrifice.”

Most residents received a request for donations earlier this year to make the weekend possible. Jeffe said the event is not supported by tax dollars. 

Crowds continued to stream in through Chadwick Street, chairs and blankets in hand, in anticipation of the annual fireworks display. By nightfall the entire park was filled with adults and excited children who clutched kettle corn or ice cream in their hands.

Rain never returned, so the 20-minute show by New Castle-based Zambelli Fireworks began as planned at 9 p.m.

A dazzling finale made a spectacular closure before folks scattered around the park, clustered with friends and family. Most were reluctant to head home on a night when the weather was still wonderful and the holiday weekend had officially begun.

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The full weekend of events continue today, May 28, with a special memorial  at 10:30 a.m. aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Osage in Glen Osborne. 

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