https://naviga.triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/program-to-honor-korean-war-soldiers-on-70th-anniversary-of-its-end/
Program to honor Korean War soldiers on 70th anniversary of its end
To mark the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, Prospect Cemetery in Brackenridge will host a program Thursday honoring local veterans who fought the three-year battle in Eastern Asia.
“We have sent so many soldiers from the Valley to all the wars,” said Bob Sauro, vice president of the Allegheny-Kiski Valley Heritage Museum in Tarentum. “Kids, and everyone, have to know what sacrifices were made for us to live in this country freely like we do.
“I think we should celebrate the end of every war.”
The museum is collaborating with cemetery officials for the presentation. It will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 27 at the cemetery along 10th Avenue and last no more than a half-hour. Participants can then gather at the museum for a social.
“We have 26 men that are buried here that served during that time,” said Cindy Homburg, president of the cemetery board. “We’d like to get a lot of people to come out and honor these men like they deserve.”
A roll call of the veterans will be followed by a 21-gun salute performed by members of the Brackenridge American Legion.
Steve Hloznik from the Legion is the guest speaker.
U.S. flags will be distributed to the audience.
The Korean War was fought from 1950 to 1953 between North and South Korea. The North was supported by China and Russia, while the South had the U.S. as an ally.
Homburg said 745 veterans from a variety of conflicts are buried at the 13-acre property. Among those who served during the Korean War are several who made their home in the immediate area. Many worked at PPG, the Valley Daily News and Westinghouse, Homburg said.
“One of the men was Chuck Gides, who owned a tour guide company for 37 years in Natrona Heights,” she said. “Another was William Haggerty who was in the 502nd Parachute Brigade of the 10125 Airborne Division. He had two Bronze Stars.”
After the presentation, guests are invited to attend a social at the museum on East Seventh Avenue in Tarentum. Families of the soldiers have donated photos for display.
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