“Memorial Day: Remembering the Fallen”
Do you know the origins and significance of Memorial Day? Ahead of this year’s holiday, join Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum to learn about the many ways that our country and its local communities pay tribute to those who gave their “last full measure of devotion.” We’ll also play a game of “Did you know?” as we examine the folklore that surrounds the memorialization of the fallen.
“Gettysburg’s Treasures”
How do artifacts from the Battle of Gettysburg teach us about this important Civil War engagement? In this live class, Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum will help us uncover the amazing stories that their Civil War collection tells. We will also play a game of “What would you do?” as we put ourselves in the place of those battlefield leaders who faced difficult decisions July 1-3, 1863.
Memorial Service:
Code Gomberg
July 5, 1922-April 11, 2021
A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 1pm at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum to remember and honor Code’s life.
“The Purple Heart”
The Purple Heart is one of the best-known military decorations. Established shortly after World War I, the medal is awarded to those who are wounded or killed in action against an enemy while serving in the United States military. In this interactive class, we’ll learn all about the history of the Purple Heart and hear stories from the Soldiers & Sailors collection about individual recipients. We’ll also play a game of “Fact or fiction?” that will test your knowledge of this award.
Witness chivalry in the making as 3 WWII Veterans are to be formally presented France’s Highest Honor, the Legion d’honneur, on September 2nd, 2021, in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall, beginning at 1PM. This extraordinary event is open to the public yet seating is limited. French Consul General, François Penguilly, of the French Embassy and Consulate in Washington D.C., will be decorating these fine men within the beautiful and spacious Auditorium within the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall.
The Honored Veterans are:
Wally King – 1st Lt. Wallace N. King earned 4 Campaign Stars serving as a Fighter Pilot flying a P-47 Thunderbolt. In September of 1944, 1st Lt. King arrived in France trained as a P-51 Pilot, flew one orientation flight in the P-47, then spent the rest of his war flying “The Jug”. Employing the P-47 in the ground support role, as a pilot in the 513th Fighter Squadron, 406th Fighter Group, the group’s objective was to provide soldiers on the ground a rapid strike capability from the air. The squadron concentrated on bombing and strafing enemy troop concentrations, armored vehicles, fixed and mobile gun emplacements, and rail-head marshaling yards. On his 75th mission, on the 18th of April of 1945, Lt. King was shot down by enemy anti aircraft artillery and briefly fell into captivity. Mr. King is 97.
Guy Prestia – Following basic training, Sergeant Guy Prestia was assigned to Company E of the 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in May of 1943. In combat Guy carried the Browning automatic rifle that weighed in at nearly 21 pounds. After first arriving in North Africa in 1943, he fought throughout the Italian Campaigns landing in Sicily, then Salerno, Anzio, Rome, the invasion of Southern France, the French eastern frontier and into the heart of Germany. The 45th Infantry Division spent an incredible 511 days in combat. At the end of the war, Guy took part in the liberation of the Dachau Concentration Camp outside of Munich Germany. Mr. Prestia is 99.
Fran Turner – Major Francis C. Turner entered the service as an enlisted man prior to America entering WWII. Following America’s entry, Corporal Turner entered and then completed Officers Candidate School in August of 1942. Assigned to D Company of the 17th Armored Engineers Battalion, Lt. Turner took part in the landing at Rabat Morocco then advanced into Algeria in 1943. After the African campaign concluded, Lt. Turner arrived in Tidworth England to prepare for the Invasion of Normandy. The task of the battalion was to sweep for mines ahead of the infantry and establish a clear a path for armored vehicles, all under fire. Once in France, he was assigned to Company A of the 17th Armored Engineers Battalion, 2nd Armored Division, where he participated in combat operations during the Normandy Invasion and throughout Northern France. As the war progressed, Lt. Turner entered Belgium, Holland, took part in the Ardennes Offensive also known as the Battle of the Bulge, and then crossed the Rhine River at Wessel Germany. Lt. Turner was awarded the Silver Star for ‘Extraordinary Heroism’ and a Bronze Star for Valor. Following his service in WWII, Lt. Turner joined the U.S. Army Reserves and retired as a Major in 1979; serving his country for 38 years. Mr. Turner is 102.
In addition to an address by the Consul General and the veterans being decorated, the ceremony will also feature remarks by Madame Françoise Crozet, who will convey the love and respect that the citizens of France have for their liberators, and then, an address from Brigadier General (Retired) David Papak, USMC, highlighting the ongoing mission of our Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
September 2nd, 1945… As we reflect upon this medal ceremony in 2021, we must remember that 76 years ago to this very day, that on the deck of the USS Missouri, in 1945, the final surrender ending World War Two took place. What better way to celebrate Liberty and Freedom then to honor 3 gallant men who did their part in securing those most sought after ideals…
Admission is free.
“What is a Veteran”
Veterans Day is a time to remember and honor those individuals who have served in the United States military. In this live, online class, we’ll learn about the origins and history of Veterans Day, with a special focus on the different decorations for valor that are awarded to our country’s heroes. We’ll also hear stories about these individuals as we put ourselves in their place and ask, “What would I do?”
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.
The GoldStars Tribute Wall exists to Honor the fallen while serving in the United States military from the beginning of the Gulf War through the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The public is invited to visit this one of a kind traveling exhibit created to honor the sacrifices made to maintain the Constitutional freedoms we exercise today. It will be available for view on our front lawn where Bigelow Blvd and Fifth Avenue meet from September 15th through the 17th.
Join Vietnam Veterans Inc. (VVI) as they raise awareness & remember all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action.
More details to come.