Placing of the Flags

We would like to thank all the boy scouts, girl scouts, members from the VFW post 1409 Auxiliary and the ever faithful group led by Scott Fredrick from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that came out to aid in the placing of over 4800 flags for veterans laid to rest in the Monongahela Cemetery.  This activity is central to the Mon Valley area for remembering and honoring those who have served, sacrificed and rest in the Monongahela Cemetery.  

Donations for the Troops

Donations for the Troops organized by the Charleroi Boy Scout Troop 1131 - Cole Telegraphis' Eagle Project

Suggested donations is Propel drink mix, Slim Jims, Pop-Tarts, Huggies wipes, coffee, tuna, peanut butter crackers, granola bars, energy bars, peanuts, almonds, cashews, cereal, trail mix, cookies, chewing gum, non-gel deodorant, Chapstick and laundry pods.

Monetary donations will be used to ship the supplies and/or purchase more supplies. 

Cole will be collecting supplies at the following drop off locations:

    EKernally Yours Gourmet Popcorn and Sweet Treats

        119 State Street in Speers (Tuesday - Friday from 1100 - 1500 hrs)

    Evo's Sports Bar (Rego's)

        601 McKean Ave, Charleroi (Monday - Friday from 1000 - 1600 hrs)

    St May's Church

        509 Sixth St, Charleroi (Monday evenings 1900 - 2015 hrs)

Cole has also established a GoFundMe page with link available on the Charleroi Boy Scouts Facebook or go to https://gofundme/ad18b3c7

Monetary donations can be mailed to 149 Linden Ave, Charleroi PA (checks payable to Charleroi Boy Scout Troop 1131 - please note "Cole's Project" in the memo line   

Poppies from the Ringgold Elementary North Kindergarten

Some of the attendees of the Monongahela Veteran's Council meeting were gifted with handmade poppies to honor them for their service.

"I have a little poppy,

as red as can be,

to show that I remember,

those who fought

to make me free." 

 

Holiday gathering

 

Holiday wishes and good cheer was shared with a meal and homemade Christmas cards from Cub Scout Pack 1542.

Retrieving of the Flags

Retrieving of the flags from the Monongahela Cemetery, 20 Nov 2021, we were joined by the Boy Scouts and volunteers from the community to remove the 4200+ flags placed on veteran's graves.  The extra hands made quick work of the day.

New K-9 unit for the City of Monongahela

Police Chief Kevin Harris and K-9 Handler Jeff Toth were presented with a donation to the police department in support of the new K-9 for Mon City.
 

Good Citizenship awards

 On Thursday 14 October 2021,  good citizenship awards were handed out to the following Scouts for assisting in the Memorial Day activities with reading Logan's Orders :  Logan Radadker and Brayden Barbao

Mitchell Paige USMC Dedication Ceremony

 3 July 2021 - Mitchell Paige USMC Dedication Ceremony -1 Chamber Plaza, Charleroi, PA.  - Mon Valley Honor Guard participated in the monument dedication ceremony for a Medal Honor Winner Mitchell Paige.   

  

A Veterans Day celebration 2020

 A salute to Veterans was held on Saturday the 7th of November 2020 in the city of Monongahela honoring all those who have served America and continue to serve today.  The day's opening ceremony started at 10 AM at the Monongahela Fire Company's hall with prayers, songs and remarks by Mayor Greg Garry and profound words from the keynote speaker and grand marshal of the parade Major David Zuzak.  Later at 12:30 PM the parade started from Chess Park down Main St. concluding at First St/Park Ave.  The Monongahela Veterans Council would like to extend our appreciation and gratitude to all that assisted in ensuring the day's events were safe and enjoyed by the community in attendance. 

Change of Command

Change of Command Ceremony for active duty Post 302 member 

On 30 June 2020, Major Jordan Criss assumes command of the 325 Security Forces Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.   Day-to-day, the squadron maintains force protection and law and order for nearly 27,000 military and civilian personnel on 29,000-acre base.  Additionally, 325 Security Forces Squadron provides military working dog, boat patrol, confinement, investigative and Combat Arms services to the 325 Fighter Wing and its mission partners.

 

Memorial Day 2020

Monongahela Remembers

Even with social distancing and reduced crowds we gathered to honored those Fallen Sons and Daughters on Memorial Day.

Please use the following link to view the abbreviated ceremony. 

Monongahela Memorial Day Ceremony 2020

Monongahela Memorial Day Ceremony 2020 Monongahela Memorial Day Ceremony, May 2020.

Monongahela American Legion Post 302

100th Anniversary Logo

Mon American Legion Shirt sale
T-shirts, long sleeve t-shirts, sweatshirts and hooded sweatshirts available in all sizes.

Use the link to the following website for special pricing:  stores.sparklesbyshell.com/monal

Memorial Day 2019

Monongahela Remembers

The Monongahela Veterans Council and the City of Monongahela will honor all of our Fallen Sons and Daughters on Monday May 27, 2019. The commemoration begins at 9:00 a.m. with a parade starting at 4th and Main Streets. Participants include the Mon Valley Leathernecks, the Mid Mon Valley Shipmates, the Mon Valley Honor Guard & Firing Squad, Monongahela and local Fire Departments, as well as Boy and Girl Scout contingents and City Officials and special Dignitaries from the area. Following the parade, a special Memorial Day Program will take place at Monongahela Cemetery at 9:45 a.m. in the Veterans Section at the top of the hill. The Ringglold High School Band will perform and there will be Patriotic selections by Vocalist Ms. Kim Van Voorhis as well as an appropriate address by 1SG John Koller (U.S. Army , ret), a 27 year military veteran. Veterans Service Organizations and key civic leaders will also be on hand as participants.

A full schedule of events and remembrances at local honor tolls and memorials will follow the morning program, continuing from 11:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. All veterans and concerned citizens are welcome to attend any or all these events. God Bless America!

Schedule as Follows (times approximate) :

9:00 Memorial Day Parade, 4th & Main St.
9:45 Memorial Day Program at Monongahela Cemetery
11:00 Victory Hill Honor Roll
11:30 New Eagle Honor Roll
12:00 Fisher Heights Honor Roll
12:30 Sacred Heart Cemetery
1:00 p.m.: Van Voorhis Honor Roll
1:30: Ginger Hill Grange
2:00 Hazelkirk Memorial

 

Monongahela Veterans Time Capsule

Opening Ceremony

May 28th, 2018

- Mon Valley Leathernecks Advance the Colors
- National Anthem – Ms. Kim Van Voorhis
Invocation – Rev. Bill Bailey, Journey by Grace Church
Opening of the Time Capsule and Inventory of Memorabilia
Brief Remarks: Monongahela Veterans Council
New Items Placed into Time Capsule to be opened again in 2069
(300th Anniversary of Monongahela)
-Benediction: Rev. Josh Greene, Journey by Grace Church 

On June 14, 1984, the Monongahela Veterans Council dedicated a memorial to honor the World War II, Korea, and Vietnam veterans. This memorial is mounted on a solid reinforced concrete slab base 36 inches deep. A time capsule is also located under the center slab and is scheduled for opening on Memorial Day 2018.

God Bless America !

 Flag Boxes

Scott Trunzo Jr. completed his Eagle Scout Project for Troop#1448 (Laurel Highlands Council, Mon Valley District) by managing the execution of the conception, collection and construction of the Flag Boxes presented to American Legion Post 302 for the proper disposal of old  and unwanted American flags.  The project required more than 140 hrs and the team he commanded consisted of the following individuals: Lee Scheiber, Joe Shriner, Steven Anders, Steve Anders, Scott Trunzo Sr., Jay Ambross, Shawn Shriner, Gideon Provan, Chase Ambrose, Brennan Ambrose, Jay Radaker, Logan Radaker, and Albert Trunzo.  The boxes have been placed at the VFW Black Diamond #1409, the Monongahela post office, New Eagle Borough and Pizza Station.

 

Monongahela Remebers

The Monongahela Veterans Council and the City of Monongahela will honor all off our Fallen Sons and Daughters on Monday May 28, 2018.  The commemoration begins at 9:00 a.m. with a parade starting at 4th and Main Streets.  Participants include the Mon Valley Leathernecks, the Mid Mon Valley Shipmates, the Mon Valley Honor Guard & Firing Squad, Monongahela and local Fire Departments, as well as Boy and Girl Scouts contingents and elected officials from our area.  Following the parade, a special Memorial Day Program will take place Monongahela Cemetery in the Veterans' Section at the top of the hill at 9:45 a.m.  keynote speaker will be Marine Brigadier General (Ret.) David Papak, Desert Storm Veteran and Monongahela resident.  The Ringgold High School Band, Vocalist Ms. Kim Van Voorhis, Veterans Service Organization and key civic leaders will also be on hand as participants.

A full schedule of events and remembrances at local honor rolls and memorials will continue from 11:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m.   At 3:00 p.m., the Monongahela Veterans Time Capsule will be opened during a ceremony at Chess Park.  All Monongahela, New Eagle, Finleyville and other area residents are invited and welcome to attend any and all of these events.

Schedule as Follows:

9:00 am - Memorial Day Parade, 4th & Main Sts.

9:45 am - Memorial Day Program at Monongahela Cemetery

11:00 am - Victory Hill Honor Roll

12:00 noon - New Eagle Honor Roll

12:30 pm - Sacred Heart Cemetery

1:00 pm - Van Voorhis Honor Roll

1:30 pm - Ginger Hill Grange

2:00 pm - Hazellkirk Memorial

3:00 pm - Formal Opening:  Monongahela Veterans Time Capsule 

Veterans Day Activities 2017

 Even though the day was cold, many turned out to attend the morning ceremony at Chess Park and stayed for the following parade.  A big thanks to the girls from Sigma Kappa for all their help and enthusiasm ensuring the day was a great success.

Visit from 25th District Commander Dennis Koman

During a post visit from the 25th District Commander Dennis Koman, awards were presented for the post having 100% membership for 2017:
Dave T. as the Post Commnader
Stu I. as the Post Adjutant
Cindy J. as Membership Chairperson

The Mon Valley Veterans Council Salutes Our Veterans

On Nov. 11 th ,2017 the Mon Valley Veterans Council will hold our 98 th Regional Veterans
Day Celebration. The day’s events begin at 9:30 am in Chess Park, Monongahela with the Mon
Valley Leathernecks Color Guard Commanded by Master Gunnery Sergeant Howard Weber and
National Anthem sung by local vocalist Ms. Kim Van Vooris. Rev. Ron Ravazio of Journey By
Grace Church will provide a prayerful beginning for the day. The Opening Program will also
include welcome and remark by Mayor Bob Kepecs; the 2 Bell Ceremony by Commander Bill
Hess and the Mid Mon Valley Shipmates; Musical selections by Ms. Van Vooris and David’s
Music House. Following the Keynote Speech and Benediction by Rev. Ravazio, the program will
conclude with Taps and Three Volley Rifle Salute by the Mon Valley Honor Guard and Firing
Squad, Mr. John Gulick commanding.

Our Keynote Speaker and Parade Grand Marshall, LTC Lawrence Kerr, is an Army
Veteran who served with the Judge Advocate Generals Corps both in Germany and at high
levels at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. After transferring to the Army Reserve, LTC Kerr
completed his military career as Commander of the 125 th Individual Mobilization Unit. He is
presently a prominent attorney practicing law in Greensburg, Westmoreland County.
The Grand Parade of Veterans will assemble and line up at 11:00 am and will step off
promptly at 12:00 noon. The line of march will include Veterans Service Organizations from
around the Mon Valley, invited dignitaries from State and County, 7 High School Marching
Bands, 7 Decorated Floats from different service organizations, Vintage Trucks, Horse Drawn
Vehicles, and of course, the Finest Fire Fighters and First Responders anywhere on their
impressive Emergency Vehicles and Fire Trucks.

All local Veterans are invited to attend and participate in this special event.

Placing of the Flags

The Monongahela Cemetery was opened in 1863, during the Civil War.  It is the central point for Memorial Day Services in the city each May.  It serves as the final resting place for more than 4,200 veterans.  With the aid of members from two church congregations, adults and children span the cemetery grounds, placing flags to honor every one of those veterans.  This tradition began by the Frank Downer American Legion Post # 302 in Monongahela more than 40 years ago.  For the past four years, parishioners from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Carroll Township have taken over the task.  Last year, the Uniontown congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined the effort.  "Rain or shine, they are here.  Last November, it was raining all day they were here retrieving the flags."