A letter to the editor in this week's paper is very disturbing to me because it accuses several local elected officials of not being patriotic or loyal Americans because they did not attend a Memorial Day service.

Granted, there is a whole lot more going on here than who showed up where, but it has become the norm for many people to equate patriotism solely with support for the military. That bothers me, because America is so much more.

Residents throughout the North Boroughs took time to remember and honor the sacrifices of those who died in military service to this country, as Memorial Day services were held last Monday. Pictured here, Boy Scouts prepare to raise the American flag at Bellevue’s service in Bayne Park.

Photo by Connie Rankin for The Citizen

Editor:

Memorial Day is about honoring all service members who passed on in defense of our country. It may have occurred in combat or in support of combat operations or having died in the line of duty just doing their jobs. Memorial Day is a day to reflect on knowing these sacrifices come because our country's military is protecting our nation and all it stands for, and remains continuously ready to do so.

A Memorial Day service will be held in Bayne Park on Monday, May 30, at 11 a.m.

The keynote speaker is the veteran Paul Cusick. Also speaking will be Alan Doyle, who represents military and veterans affairs for U.S. Congressman Mike Doyle.

Rev. Ed Rogers from the Faith Community Church will give the invocation. Boy Scout Troop #226 and trumpet player Gillian Withey will be part of the service.

Refreshments will be served immediately following the ceremony.

Avalon will not see the benefit of allowing Bellevue pool pass holders to use Avalon's pool at the beginning of the season.

When Bellevue was unable to get its pool open by Memorial Day, pass holders from the neighboring borough were allowed to use Avalon's pool at no additional cost. The agreement at the time was that Bellevue would return the favor at the end of the season, after the Labor Day holiday.

Editor:

As a past member of Emsworth Council, a citizen of the community, and most importantly, the daughter of a veteran, I would like to express my sincere and deep sorrow regarding the noticeable empty seats at our memorial service. Where were the elected officials? This is a day for remembering the service and sacrifices made by our veterans.

REMEMBRANCE IMPORTANT

Editor:

Sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance. It is a sad day when individuals choose not to honor former members of the Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice for all Americans.

The 64th annual Avonworth community Memorial Day parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 31, with a few changes this year to accommodate weight restrictions placed on the Center Avenue bridge.

Many people who attend next Monday’s Memorial Day service in Bellevue’s Bayne Park will walk along a pathway shaded by beautiful trees.

Some may even notice the markers placed in front of each of the trees.

It’s likely that few will realize the history and significance of that walkway.

On May 29, 1920, the Bellevue community gathered to plant 12 Pin Oak trees, one for each of the town residents who died in World War I -- 11 soldiers and one nurse.

Even as work begins Monday on the Lowries Run Bridge in Emsworth, weight limits will severely limit traffic across another bridge in the borough.

Borough officials were informed Wednesday that the Port Authority bridge along Center Avenue had been inspected recently and “structural deficiencies” discovered. As a result, a 5 ton weight limit will be posted on Friday, May 14.

That weight limit will affect not only Port Authority buses, but firetrucks, school buses and other large vehicles, none of which will be able to cross the bridge.