Clairton’s annual all-class reunion to feature Veterans Breakfast Club interviews

Founded in Pittsburgh in 2008, the nonprofit is dedicated to bringing veterans, family members, and the public together in what it calls “communities of listening.”

By THOMAS LETURGEY
For the MVI

This weekend’s 21st annual All-Class Clairton High School reunion picnic will be more than just catching up with old friends — it will be a chance to honor and preserve the stories of our nation’s heroes.

During the reunion, there will be opportunities to interview veterans as part of the Veterans Breakfast Club.

“We will be conducting 30, 60-to-90-minute interviews to get people on camera,” said Todd DePastino, executive director of the Veterans Breakfast Club. DePastino is quick to point out that he isn’t a veteran, but a historian who has a great reverence for each veteran’s service.

The group was founded in 2008 and over that time they have had more than 1,000 sit-down interviews with veterans who have served in all branches of the military. “It’s all about their stories.”

The Veterans Breakfast Club is partnering with the Clairton Veterans History Project, the City of Clairton and the Clairton High School Alumni Association to collect and preserve these first-hand accounts from veterans stemming from World War II until today.

DePastino said the effort frequently leads to veterans sharing experiences they’ve never talked about before. “It happens all the time,” he said. “It’s a breath of wisdom.” He says the revelations come because the military provides “a different subculture” that’s “transferred through that experience.”

Interviews will be conducted on two days: from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Friday during the Clairton History Event at the Clairton Municipal Building; and from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday at Clairton Park in conjunction with the alumni reunion weekend.

“It’s of great value to listen to veterans,” he continued.

There’s still time to register at veteransbreakfastclub. org. There are also Zoom options available.

DePastino says Western Pennsylvania has long been a stronghold for military service. He finds that it’s generational. A grandfather is drafted and serves, a parent follows, and then current day members of the military often carry on those traditions.

“It’s an extraordinarily rich population,” he said. “And very patriotic.”

He believes that the project will land about a dozen or so veteran interviews. “It doesn’t matter, what branch. We are interested in hearing their stories.”

And that includes the newest and smallest branch of the military: Space Force. “It’s an off shoot of the Air Force,” said DePastino. He said they already have their own customs, anthem and pageantry. “They are a more cerebral type,” he said.

Alumni weekend

The Alumni Weekend is now in its 21st year, said Co-Chair Mary Ann Walker. The event gets underway at 11 a.m. Saturday, and wraps up later in the afternoon, as attendees sometimes hang out until 4 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person before the event, $30 for Saturday

walk-ups. The money goes for fundraising, lunch and entertainment, which is generally a live band (that usually features a local musician or singer).

The event has been a highlight in Clairton for more than a quarter century. In 2000, Marjorie Henning Fairchild (Class of 1955) wrote some time ago that her class decided they wanted to get together more often than every five years, so a picnic was planned for the next year at Andrew Reilly Memorial Park. Unfortunately, Henning Fairchild couldn’t attend because on the same day, legendary Pittsburgh Pirate Bill Mazeroski was inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. As a long-time fan, she didn’t miss it. However, the mission began there.

Over the years, the group has tallied attendance and reviewed the caterers that provided food for registered people, as well as walk-up alumni. Lunch is served at 12:15 p.m. Saturday.

“We have less people than when we started,” Walker said. As for much of Western Pennsylvania, Clairton’s high school classes were much larger than now. “At the peak (2011) we had about 900 people attending the alumni weekend.” There’s a good mix of attendees, including those who arrive via walkers. “It is a struggle to get the younger generation” involved, she continues. “Some need a nudge to come.”

A week before the event, there are between 200-250 expected to come, as there were 250 last year and 300 the year before. Walker said last year she was one of about a dozen classmates who attended her graduating class, that had 265. It’s still a unique event for Western Pennsylvania.

Trish Brilhart Roberts started the Clairton history archives at the Clairton Municipal Building. According to their website, the historical group describes themselves as “a group of local residents with a goal to conserve and promote the rich history of the City Of Clairton and its people. Our mission is to collect, preserve, and exhibit materials related to all aspects and periods of our city’s history. The vision is to educate current and future generations and to foster a sense of pride and appreciation for our community’s heritage.”

The group is always in the process of seeking historical materials with a direct connection to Clairton. These materials can be photographs identifying localities, buildings, businesses, industry, events, and people. Objects include Clairtonbased souvenirs and memorabilia with Clairton featured prominently.

Anyone with anything can email them at clairtonhistoryproject@ gmail.com.

Organizers raise other funds through a 50/50, “Share the Wealth” and basket raffles, and letters to Clairton businesses. They were also active at the Ninth Annual Salute to Veterans Concert this past weekend.

For more information on the picnic, go to www.chsreunionpicnic. com.