Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum is proud to be collecting winter outerwear for veterans experiencing homelessness of Shepherd’s Heart Fellowship & Veterans Home.
Suggested winter gear donations include winter coats and scarves with a special emphasis on warm gloves and winter hats.
Collections will be accepted through the winter months, Monday – Saturday 8am – 3pm with the exception of November 25th and 26th, December 24th, 25,th 26th and 31st, January 1st, and February 21st. Please note that masks are recommended to be worn covering your mouth and nose while inside the building.
Spotlight On: Saluting Women in the Military
Major Kathy Silvia, US Army (Retired)
March 10, 2022 7PM
Virtual Event – Join us on Facebook or YouTube
This month’s program will feature Major Kathy Silvia, a retired Army officer who was among the first class of women to graduate from West Point in 1980. During her 20 year military career (1980-2006), Kathy spent time serving in the fields of artillery and logistics. She is a former member of the 99th Division, also known as, the “Checkmate Division”. Today she calls Pennsylvania home and she has been appointed by the Board of Directors at the Military Women’s Memorial to reach Women Veterans from across the state. Please join us to learn more of Kathy’s story.
Major Kathy Silvia Biography
Kathleen Silvia attended US Military Academy, graduated among the first co-ed Class of 1980 with a BS in Engineering. She was commissioned a 2LT in the Field Artillery to lead soldiers from platoon to Battery level. Kathleen’s Missile assignments took her to Crete where (in 1983) her platoon ranked as the Battalion’s top firing platoon. Later, she represented the US Army during a NATO Exchange assignment with the 3d Regt Artillery Marine (105mm) in France. She executed all of the soldier training alongside the French Artillerymen of the Regiment and briefed the Officers of this Regiment on the finer points about US Army’s Artillery (all in French of course). After her FA Battery Command, the Field Artillery Branch presented limited options for women in the branch and Kathleen branch transferred to Logistics in 1986. Her service in logistics took her to South Korea’s 2d Infantry Division where she orchestrated various supply and transportation support missions on behalf of the 16,000 soldier Division and the surrounding community. She allocated the resources to recover from Typhoon Vera; assisted in locating and processing 3 human remains from a river drowning incident. In this role, Cpt Silvia supervised 30 South Korean security guards who protected Army resources. She returned to the US to join 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, CO. Then CPT Silvia was sent to Panama to work with SOUTHCOM’s Logistics Cell to craft BLUE SPOON, the logistics support plan for the 1989 invasion of Panama.
From 1989 to 1993, Major Silvia served as an Army Reservist preparing New England units for deployment overseas in response to the Iraqi Occupation of Kuwait (the 1990 Gulf War). Over six units were sent from New England during the early stages to establish the legal Status of our deployed Forces, to move and supply the combat theatre. She earned Reservist Officer of the Year for the State of Massachusetts in 1990. As a citizen-soldier, Kathleen earned a Masters in Procurement while working full time. Her work involved supervising staff in warehousing, logistics, procurement and production planning operations with such firms as Pepsi and Schering Plough. She had a six year break in military service but, returned as a Reservist with the 99th RRC in Pittsburgh in 1999 again as a Logistics Staff Officer responsible for the command’s logistics posture.
In 2003, she was called to Active Duty twice (as mobilized Reservist, then as AGR), to deploy with the 812th Transportation Battalion (Medium Truck) to the combat zone (Kuwait/Iraq). With over 1200 truck drivers, this outfit executed transportation support from the seaport into northern Iraq. She continued serving the nation until December 2006. She began a quest to serve and honor other Veterans as an apprentice learning National Cemetery burial business, protocols and legislation. She trained and graduated from the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) certified as a Cemetery Administrator in 2009 with the Dept of Veterans Affairs. She served with the NCA in positions of increased responsibility at Calverton National Cemetery (NY), Denver (CO) and then Baltimore (MD) as the Cemetery Director in 2010. Continuing to serve Veterans, she became a Department of Army civilian to serve at West Point, New York’s Post Army Cemetery, 2011 to 2015. In 2015, she he transferred to PA sustaining military missile systems at Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg, PA and retired in late 2018. The board of Directors at the Military Women’s Memorial had appointed her to cover the State of Pennsylvania and reach PA Women Veterans across these 67 counties.
On Sunday, March 27, 2022, Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum Trust, Inc., will induct the next group of veterans into the Joseph A. Dugan, Jr. Hall of Valor.
The ceremony begins at 2 pm in the auditorium and is open to the public and free to attend. In honor of the Hall of Valor Ceremony, the museum is open and admission is free on March 27th from 12 pm – 2 pm. Complimentary parking is available while supplies last in the street-level parking lot opposite the building on Bigelow Blvd.
Please note the traditional luncheon that usually follows the ceremony is by invitation only and is not open to the public this year.
The event will also be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube so that anyone who wants to watch this remarkable group can do so from the safety of their home.
Please use the following links to view the event on either Facebook Live or YouTube.
The links will become active about 5 minutes prior to the ceremony
Soldiers & Sailors recognizes and pays tribute to Pennsylvania veterans who have received the military’s highest awards for valor: the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Soldiers Medal, Airmen Medal, Coast Guard Medal or Navy/Marine Corps Medal (for bravery and heroism during times of military conflict). These inductees will join the over 700 heroes that have already been inducted into the distinguished Hall of Valor since 1963. We also ask that you attend and encourage individuals and local community to attend the ceremony!
Spotlight On: Liberators of the Concentration Camps
April 14, 2022 7PM
Virtual Event – Join us on Facebook or YouTube
Throughout April, 1945 advance elements of American soldiers confronted the harsh realities of Nazi concentration camps, consequently placing them in the role of liberators. This month we will examine letters from liberators and a photographic record of what they encountered along with other objects as gathered from the archives at Soldiers & Sailors. We will also be joined by US Army Sergeant Guy Prestia of the 45 Infantry Division Company E- 157 Infantry Regiment. He will discuss his experiences during the liberation of Dachau. Join us as we learn about and pay tribute to the Liberators of World War II.
BIOS:
Lisa Petitta, Collections Manager, Soldiers & Sailors
Lisa Petitta is the Collections Manager at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum. She joined the Museum in 2015 and has always had a passionate interest in military history. She is responsible for the safe storage of artifacts in the permanent collection, cataloging artifacts and has worked on display installations, museum tours, grant writing and fundraising events. She holds Masters in Military History from American Public University and a BA in History and Minor in Historical Preservation from the University of Pittsburgh.
Michael Kraus, Curator, Soldiers & Sailors
A well-known Civil War historian, Kraus currently works as Curator/Historian for Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum. His accomplishments include several historical consultant credits for major films, writing and narrating the documentary series Civil War Minutes and Civil War Life as well as authoring articles and books regarding the conflict. Michael also is an accomplished sculptor with an impressive resume of historically themed works in bronze.
Sergeant Guy Prestia
Sergeant Guy Prestia served in the United States Army as a part of 45th Infantry Division Company E- 157 Infantry Regiment. He served as a BAR (Browning Automatic Weapon) man in North Africa, Sicily, Salerno, Anzio, Rome, Southern France and Germany. He spent 511 days in combat and served an extra 6 months in the Army of Occupation. He is a retired machinist who raised eight children. He serves as Deacon at his church and speaks to school children and civic organizations about WWII and the Holocaust so we never forget.
Soldiers & Sailors Tabletop Gamers
FREE Admission Kickoff
April 16, 2022
10AM – 4PM
Welcome to the first monthly game day for the Soldiers & Sailors Tabletop Gamers! We welcome interested gamers ages 10 and up of all experience levels (including none) who want to bring or just play historical board games and miniatures war games, in keeping with the museums mission. For this day only we will have FREE admission with online registration at the link below.
Specific games for April 16th will include two easy-to-learn games: What a tanker! Using 1/72 scale WWII tanks and the 1862 Battle of Puebla (Cinco de Mayo) . . . OR bring your own historical military board game or miniatures game to share! Every game day will always have at least one easy-to-learn multiplayer game for anyone new to historical gaming.
To register for tour FREE museum admission on April 16th please visit: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c084ba9ac2eabff2-soldiers
For more information please contact Tim Neff: tim@soldiersandsailorshall.org
Future game days will require you to pay standard museum admission, which is listed on the museums website: https://www.soldiersandsailorshall.org/museum/. HINT: The annual membership is very inexpensive! https://www.soldiersandsailorshall.org/donate/#membership.
What is Tabletop Gaming?
Tabletop gaming is played on a table with physical pieces, as opposed to video/computer games. Tabletop gaming includes both board games with playing pieces (for example, Stratego) and miniature games. Miniature games use representative terrain game boards and miniature military figures.
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum
Spotlight On: Behind the Scenes: America’s Defenders Statue
May 12, 2022 7PM
Virtual Event – Join us on Facebook or YouTube
This Memorial Day, Soldiers & Sailors will proudly unveil a new statue dedicated to those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The life size bronze monument will be known as “America’s Defenders” and will feature a male and a female soldier. This program will feature the statue’s artist and Soldiers & Sailors Curator, Michael Kraus who will walk us through the creation process including concept drawings, mock-ups, clay molds and bronze casting. Also highlighted will be the source materials (uniforms & equipment) and the tools that were used throughout the process. This program will serve as a special preview for a physical exhibit that will be available to the public at Soldiers & Sailors as a part of our Memorial Day Celebration on May 30th.
BIO:
Michael Kraus, Curator, Soldiers & Sailors
A well-known Civil War historian, Kraus currently works as Curator/Historian for Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum. His accomplishments include several historical consultant credits for major films, writing and narrating the documentary series Civil War Minutes and Civil War Life as well as authoring articles and books regarding the conflict. Michael also is an accomplished sculptor with an impressive resume of historically themed works in bronze.
Join the 1st Annual Pittsburgh Relay
Friday, Mary 13th, 2022
Walk to honor the sacrifices of our nation’s Military and First Responder Heroes!
Please join the First Annual Carry The Load Pittsburgh Team. Carry the Load (CTL) is a national non-profit organization that provides an active way to connect Americans to the sacrifices made daily by our military, veterans, first responders and their families. After 11 years, Pittsburgh is finally added to the National Relay.
1:30 PM: Meet at the front lawn of Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum, 4141 5th Ave Pittsburgh, PA
2:00 PM: Start of the 10 mile Carry The Load Relay (walk) to Heinz Field. Join at the start or jump in at any time along the route.
5:00 PM: Rally Kickoff. Stay for the fun! You didn’t get to walk? Join us at the Rally!
6:30 PM: See the Relay Team off or join the walk to Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown
The National Relay begins o/a the first Monday in May, from four parts of the country culminating in Dallas, TX on Memorial Day. See carrytheload.org for a detailed overview.
Relay and Rally are FREE. To donate go to carrytheload.org and click on Memorial May Events.
Popa Banks and Upscale & Classy Pittsburgh Presents: An Intimate Evening of Music featuring Joe, Donell Jones and special guest Will Downing.
Doors open at 6:30pm
Showtime: 7:30pm
Tickets are available at Dorsey’s Records or online.
Soldiers & Sailors Tabletop Gamers
10AM – 4PM
Welcome to the monthly game day for the Soldiers & Sailors Tabletop Gamers! We welcome interested gamers ages 10 and up of all experience levels (including none) who want to bring or just play historical board games and miniatures war games, in keeping with the museums mission. Game days will require you to pay standard museum admission, which is listed on the museums website: https://www.soldiersandsailorshall.org/museum/. HINT: The annual membership is very inexpensive! https://www.soldiersandsailorshall.org/donate/#membership.
Pay for event admission by clicking on the green “Tickets” button.
Since this is an admission-based event, cost to attend is regular museum admission.
Great news for current US Military Members and US Military Veterans. Admission is free for you!
If you are military or Gold Star Family, please register by selecting the Military “Tabletop Gamers” button on the main registration page.
For more information please contact Tim Neff: tim@soldiersandsailorshall.org
What is Tabletop Gaming?
Tabletop gaming is played on a table with physical pieces, as opposed to video/computer games. Tabletop gaming includes both board games with playing pieces (for example, Stratego) and miniature games. Miniature games use representative terrain game boards and miniature military figures.
This rain or shine event is FREE and open to the public. Honor those who have served our country at our annual Memorial Day Ceremony & Celebration.
At 11AM we begin the day with a ceremony paying tribute to our fallen PA service members from the Post-911 conflicts in collaboration with Vietnam Veterans Inc., local Gold Star Organizations and Shepherd’s Heart Veterans Home.
At 12:00PM enjoy family-friendly activities, contests, entertainment and food and beverage vendors, all hosted by our celebrity personality Mike Frazer of 3WS Radio. Activities include crafts and a bouncy house from ELF Entertainment, caricatures by Howard Bender and BBQ favorites hot off the grill from Pgh Barbeque Company, as well as cold beverages, and Kona Ice.
Be one of the first ever to see our “America’s Defenders” statue honoring Post-911 Veterans and visit our special exhibit showing how the statue went from a sketch to a life size bronze memorial.
Civil War re-enactors will set up a display camp on the grass where they will interpret how Union soldiers lived and display articles from the era. Also in attendance will be re-enactors who portray members of the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic). The GAR was a veteran’s organization formed after the Civil War. Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall was founded by the organization and served as meeting place decades after opening in 1910.
Camp Chase Fifes and Drums, one of the top fife and drum corps in the country who perform Civil War music in period costumes, will be performing patriotic military music throughout the day culminating with a concert at 3pm.
Free holiday parking is available around the Memorial and in the street-level lot across from the museum on Bigelow Blvd.
This year’s Memorial Day Celebration is presented by:
Thank you to our additional sponsors:
Soldiers & Sailors would also like to thank the following for generously supporting our Memorial Day observance: