Western Pennsylvania Firemen’s Association parade plays part in Somerset County's 25/250 commemoration
SOMERSET, Pa. – Somerset Regional Volunteer Fire Department members marched together, dressed in formal uniforms, leading the 133rd Annual Convention of the Western Pennsylvania Firemen's Association parade along W. Main Street in Somerset Saturday.
More firefighters, bands and community organizations followed behind them.
It was a highlight of the convention.
The parade was also part of a five-day Somerset County 25/250 commemoration for the 25th anniversary of when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in the county as part of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the 250th anniversary of the United States' birth with the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
"It was good to put the parade on because of the community," said Gary Thomas, a longtime Somerset firefighter who helped organize the parade. "With the 25th anniversary of Flight 93, we're representing the 40 passengers (and crew members) that passed away over there. It was a good tribute to them. We're hoping that the people enjoyed the parade and hopefully in years to come they'll remember what we had here."
2025 Somerset County Fair Queen Jovi Jeske spoke about commemorating the nation's founding, saying, "It's really fun to be involved and to celebrate the 250th anniversary."
The local Sons of the American Revolution Great Glades Chapter was among the participating organizations.
"I think it's great," Bill Lehman, the chapter's president, said. "We haven't seen a parade like this in Somerset forever. Actually, this is our first parade as the Sons of the American Revolution. We think the patriotism runs high in Somerset County and this is a nice opportunity for us to get out and show our pride."
Neil Hoffman, a veteran of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard's 28th Infantry Division Company C, the "Frosty Sons of Thunder Company," described the parade as "a great and wonderful thing that's happening right here in Somerset."
"It just means a lot to show the patriotism," Hoffman, an assistant president of the company's alumni group, said. "We live in one of the greatest and most patriotic areas in the country. Somerset, Cambria County, Fayette County, this is just a patriotic area. To have something like this, this is the biggest thing to hit Somerset in a long time."
Attendees not only watched the parade, but also supported businesses and pop-up vendors along the route, including former Somerset County resident Candyce Walters, who set up her Let's Face It caricature tent.
"Just to watch the community come together, band together around this, I think shows a good direction for the future," Walters said. "I'm happy to be a part of that and to share my art."