City Marks Veterans Day With Prayer, Song

By Jason Togyer
The Tube City Almanac
November 11, 2025
Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

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Despite freezing temperatures and gusty winds, McKeesport marked Veterans Day on Tuesday with a ceremony at Memorial Park on Lysle Boulevard.

After thanking God for the “nice crisp day,” the Rev. Christine Pope Portiss of True Vine Ministries recalled how her grandmother had put stars in the window for her five family members who were serving during World War II.

She also recalled how her high school boyfriend was killed while serving in Vietnam.

“This day means a lot to many of us, so if you have somebody who served, thank God for them, and thank them for their service,” said Portiss, who offered the opening prayer. About 75 people attended, fighting to stay warm amidst snow flurries and a steady gale that kept American flags flying stiffly and several times threatened to topple a memorial wreath.

Tom Maglicco, city administrator and a U.S. Army veteran, served as master of ceremonies. The McKeesport Area High School Acapella Choir performed and members of the Air Force Junior ROTC program served as color guard.

Paul Foresman, Pennsylvania state inspector general of the Amvets, offered remarks, along with McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko, former Allegheny County Commissioner Larry Dunn and Boniface Igba, spiritual director of Auberle. 

As a teacher, Cherepko said, he would often ask his fifth-grade students “who are your heroes?” and they would invariably talk about pro athletes, Hollywood actors and musicians, and then first responders such as police, firefighters and paramedics. 

“Then they would get to those greatest heroes of all — those veterans who served this country, including those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Cherepko said, “so that we may be here today and live in the greatest country on the planet. Thank you for all you do, and thank you for service.”

Local actor Greg Nemchick portrayed John Corey, one of the four McKeesport-area soldiers who carried President Lincoln from Ford’s Theater after he was fatally shot on April 14, 1865. Nemchick was reprising his performance from McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center’s Living History Tour, held in October at McKeesport & Versailles Cemetery.

In his keynote remarks, Foresman said that although there has been a revival of patriotic displays, patriotism must mean more than putting out lawn ornaments or American flag stickers, and honoring veterans must not only happen on special occasions.

“Tomorrow we must continue to honor them,” he said. “They have given us a chance to live in freedom today, and an opportunity to look forward to tomorrow ... (and) the best way to honor our veterans is to take an active part in maintaining freedom in America. We must teach future generations what it means to be an American. We must volunteer in our communities, take care of our veterans and their families, vote in elections, and continue to try to make America the very best we can.”

Dunn, who lives in Squirrel Hill yet volunteers on McKeesport’s veterans committee, said his friends asked him, “It’s a cold winter’s day, why are you going out to McKeesport? You’re not even a veteran, what do you care?”

But that’s exactly why he volunteers, Dunn said: “Because I’m not a veteran. Because I appreciate each and every one of you veterans who are here today. Freedom of worship, freedom of speech — all of the freedoms we continue to enjoy are because of you.”

The Rev. Dr. William Meekins, retired pastor of McKeesport Area Shared Ministry of the United Methodist Church, offered the closing prayer.

A separate Veterans Day ceremony was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at LaRosa Youth Club on Ravine Street, and McKeesport Area High School hosted a Veterans Day concert at 4 p.m. on the high school campus.

Originally published November 11, 2025.

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