Category: News || By Submitted Report

A city native and McKeesport Area High School graduate celebrated a homecoming of sorts at West Mifflin's annual Memorial Day ceremony, held Saturday.

U.S. Army Col. Craig Bollenberg delivered the keynote address before veterans, their families, local dignitaries and elected officials who gathered at Mitchell Paige Memorial Park in the borough's Duquesne Village neighborhood.

"It really is great to be back home," Bollenberg said. "I'm sure some of my school teachers would be absolutely dumbfounded to find out you have given me the honor of speaking today as we celebrate Memorial Day. And if there are any of my former teachers in the crowd, I hope I don't disappoint you."

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Bollenberg, a 1978 graduate of McKeesport Area High School and a member of its alumni hall of fame, is a career U.S. Army officer who served in Iraq during the first Gulf War and the former dean of the Joint and Combined Warfighting School at the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Va.

He currently serves as director of the Army's Training Operations Management Agency, part of the Training and Doctrine Command, which develops educational, training and leadership development programs for soldiers and officers.

Training has rapidly evolved so that today's servicemen and women can cope with insurgent groups, terrorists and terror cells, and other non-traditional enemies, Bollenberg told his audience.

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"Our soldiers today serve multiple combat tours in some of the most inhospitable places on Earth," he said. "They routinely fight in temperatures of 130 degrees and extreme altitudes in full combat gear weighing anywhere between 63 to 130 pounds.

"The enemy they fight is a non-traditional enemy --- they are not bound by the same Geneva Convention or morality of our soldiers," he said. "This enemy is one of the most ruthless enemies our nation has fought."

Bollenberg thanked his listeners for their continued support of troops serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. Letters and cards, gifts and necessities, and receptions held for returning soldiers, sailors and marines make a big difference, he said.

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"You make our servicemen feel they are truly fighting for a just cause," Bollenberg told the crowd. "I would like to personally thank for your support of our men and women in uniform."

Bollenberg also presented the commander of VFW Post 914, Charles Krebs, with a citation from U.S. Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, commander of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command.

The citation thanks the post for organizing events throughout the Mon Valley and the greater Pittsburgh area to benefit personnel both serving and returning from duty overseas.

"Your support to the Wounded Warrior and Blue Star programs is truly world class," Dempsey wrote. "Your commitment through the years in supporting Memorial Day services and other holidays to commemorate the service of our veterans demonstrates the values and qualities that make our nation great."

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The event, organized by West Mifflin Mayor Chris Kelly, included participants from Veterans of Foreign Wars "Intrepid" Post 914, the West Mifflin Area High School Air Force Junior ROTC program, Cub Scout Pack 31, and borough police, fire and emergency medical personnel.

West Mifflin Borough Council President Regis Stephenson served as master of ceremonies, while Rev. W. David Schorr delivered the benediction and invocation. A selection of patriotic songs was performed by Eugene Staudt, a member of VFW Post 914.

Other dignitaries included state Sen. Jay Costa of Forest Hills; state Rep. Bill Kortz of Dravosburg; Allegheny County Councilman Bob Macey, and Homestead Mayor Betty Esper and Munhall Mayor Ray Bodnar.

Following a wreath-laying ceremony to recognize the sacrifices of military and emergency-services personnel, a rifle salute was offered by a VFW honor squad led by Kenneth Curcio, while Chelsea Taylor of West Mifflin Area High School played taps.

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Editor's Note: All information in this story was gathered, reported and submitted by Mike Mauer, quartermaster for VFW Post 914.

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