Grieving Canonsburg honors veterans, first responders
Karen Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
More than 100 people gathered in 2016 at First United Methodist Church in Canonsburg to honor veterans and first responders.
Chuck Kolsosky, a U.S. Air Force veteran, has organized the Veterans Day service in Canonsburg for 15 years. He was honored by Washington County Commissioner Larry Maggi and state Rep. Brandon Neuman.
Karen Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
People in Canonsburg gathered at First United Methodist Church in Canonsburg as part of a 2016 Veterans Day service. Scenes like these may be a thing of the past as the church opens for the first time since March with social distancing practices in place because of the coronavirus pandemic.
A grieving community gathered at First United Methodist Church in Canonsburg Friday night to honor U.S. military veterans and first responders, and to remember and pray for fallen Canonsburg police Officer Scott Bashioum and injured Officer James Saieva, at an annual Veterans Day service.
More than 100 people attended the 90-minute ceremony, which featured inspirational songs, hymns and patriotic tunes, including the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “Amazing Grace,” “This Land is Your Land,” and “Taps.”
On a table at the altar were a police officer’s cap wrapped with a black band, a first responder’s helmet, a rose and a teddy bear. The items were tributes to Bashioum, who was shot and killed early Thursday morning as he responded to a domestic dispute call, and Dalia Sabae, whose husband killed her before he turned the gun on himself.
Sabae was pregnant.
“We had two officers trying to intervene in a situation where a young mother-to-be was in fear of her life,” said Rev. Dr. Debra Rogosky. “I can’t imagine what went through the minds of these two officers. But I do know in my heart of hearts that they wanted to do something to make sure that the mother and her newborn child would be here today and tomorrow. But that didn’t happen.”
Rogosky led the group in prayer, thanking veterans and first responders for service to their country and communities and praying for the safety of the men and women serving abroad and domestically.
The service was organized by Chuck Kolsosky, 74, a U.S. Air Force veteran, who started the event in 2001. He received a proclamation from Washington County Commissioner Larry Maggi and state Rep. Brandon Neuman.
Neuman noted Bashioum was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
“He was trying to protect the liberties of a young woman who was suffering from domestic violence. He protected our liberties overseas. He protected our liberties here in Canonsburg. He’s someone who we should celebrate as a hero, just like all of our other veterans who are heroes,” said Neuman.
A procession of children carried flags representing each of the military branches, and veterans from each branch stood as their hymn was played.
Some singing performances included New Day Band, which performed “Long as I Can See the Light,” and Elizabeth Peternel, who led “America the Beautiful.”
State Sen. Camera Bartolotta, whose grandfather, along with his four brothers who were stationed at Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941, and survived the attack, all served in the military, said she is grateful for the service of veterans and first responders.
“I have no idea what war is like. I have no idea what any of our veterans or first responders have experienced – their fear, their courage, their suffering, their survival. I know nothing of what they know. But I do know that because we have veterans who have done those things, we enjoy freedom and liberty in the greatest country the world has ever seen,” said Bartolotta. “I know a veteran is someone who has put themselves on the line, sometimes on the front line, to defend our principles and make this country great. I’m standing here today as a grateful American, a grateful citizen of our community.”