Rededication ceremony set for AP Delsandro Veterans Memorial

For the MVI

The AP Delsandro Veterans Memorial Committee will host a rededication ceremony to mark the reconstruction of the memorial in Donora.

The ceremony will take place at the memorial, located on Route 837, next to the Donora Post Office at Sixth Street and Meldon Avenue, at 9 a.m. on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the Donora Fire Hall.

The keynote speaker will be retired U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Dave Papak. Also speaking at the ceremony will be Sen. Camera Bartolotta, Mon Valley Alliance CEO Jamie Colecchi, Donora Mayor Don Pavelko and William Booker, a longtime supporter of the organization. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP to tdelsandro@ gmail.com or rdelsandro@ comcast.net.

Committee Co-Director Tom Delsandro said the focus of the event is to pay tribute to the 86 Donora veterans who sacrificed their lives to protect our freedom in World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam wars. They will also pay tribute to deceased, current and retired service members.

The AP Delsandro Veterans Memorial Committee was founded in the early 1980s with the goal of raising funds for veteran’s organizations and other charities in and around Donora. The original memorial was erected in 1983 to properly display bronze plaques that honor residents who sacrificed their lives during war times. Due to environmental conditions, the original facility was damaged beyond repair. It was razed and plans for a renewed site began to unfold nearly 10 years ago.

Since that time, money raised through various activities provided for the complete reconstruction of the site. Three new pedestals holding the historic plaques that list the names of those lost in wars have been rebuilt and installed.

Four colorful 5 by 10-foot murals were installed on the wall overlooking the facility. The murals are original art designed specificity for the site depicting patriotic scenes from the wars in which Donora citizens were lost. The site was improved with a lighting system designed to illuminate key elements of the facility. A seating and landscape area was installed for residents and visitors as a place to reflect on the sacrifices made by these heroes.

Since the organization’s inception, fundraising activities have been its focus. The activities include an annual golf outing that celebrated its 40th year in August.

As the committee has done for over 41 years, a portion of funds raised are donated to support other local charities, including the Mon Valley Youth and Teen Association, Donora youth sports, the Donora Veteran’s Association, Donora Fire Co., the Donora Library and the Salvation Army.

Thanks to the support from the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Promotion Agency, the Mon Valley Alliance, Donora officials, county commissioners, state Rep. Tim O’Neal, Bartolotta and others, the project received a $119,000 grant from the Washington County Local Share Account.