Steel Valley honors those called to serve with 40th Annual Veterans Day Program

They are called to serve. Some never come home.

To celebrate their duty, service and sacrifice, the Steel Valley School District hosted its 40th Annual Veterans Day Program on Friday, November 11, 2022 at the high school auditorium.

The program honored area veterans, thanking them for their service. Some were in attendance. Some retired from active duty and returned to civilian life, but have since passed. Others never came back from active duty. During the ceremony, Mr. Mark Fallon - organizer and Veterans Day Committee member - asked those in attendance who had served in any capacity to stand to be recognized.

Among those honored was Mrs. Creola Bolden, who served at the 97th General Hospital in Frankfurt Germany during the Korean War. During her tenure, she helped tend to soldiers who had been injured in Korea and evacuated to the 97th General Hospital for further treatment before they could be sent home. Following her service, Mrs. Bolden returned to the Mon Valley and worked at the Homestead Hospital and at Jefferson Hospital.

Veteran John Tichon also spoke. One of the first organizers of the program 40 years ago, Mr. Tichon shared some memories from the past 40 years and applauded the continued support of the ceremony from the Homestead, Munhall, and West Homestead communities, and from the Steel Valley School District. The committee features 20 members, along with coordinator Larry McKern.

Flags donated by various area luminaries were donated to Steel Valley students. The committee began the flag donation as a representation of the partnership between the school district and the local, state and federal governments. Student recipients included Breanna Francis, Chelsea Bulger, T.J. Dunlevy, Brian Versetti, Eli Payne Morris, Brenna Kern, Angel Herrera, Davein Nguyen, Cody Montgomery, and Carl Watson.

Steel Valley students also had the opportunity to submit essays as part of a contest. The 750-word essay had to address the concept of we honor veterans. Students who were recognized for their submissions included Kylee Goodwine, Tristan Jordan, Owen Ferko, Anthony Vickers, Dara Brown, Brendan Snyder, Deanna Bird, Amelia Carr, Ariel Mariani, Rachel Zajicek, Luke Vinay and Madison Blasko.

The ceremony included performances by the Steel Valley Senior High School Band, under the direction of Mr. Michael Sisley, and the Steel Valley Senior Chorus, under the direction of Ms. Sharon Kampe. Pastor Keith Kaufold conducted the opening and closing remarks.

Photos from the ceremony, including pictures of the students recognized for their contributions, can be viewed in the gallery below.