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Fort Hood Soldiers Remembered At Monessen Parade

MONESSEN (KDKA) ―

Click to enlarge 1 of 1: The Monessen Veterans Day Parade was a time to remember the soldiers who were attacked in a shooting rampage at Fort Hood last Thursday.
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It hasn't happened in 20 years, but Saturday in Monessen restored a tradition of honoring their military veterans with a big Veterans Day Parade.

The event was also a time to remember the soldiers who were attacked in a shooting rampage at Fort Hood in Texas last Thursday.

One soldier especially on everyone's mind was 2nd Lt. Brandy Mason, a Monessen native. She was one of the many wounded in the attack, taking a bullet to the leg.

"I knew her playing basketball," said Peggy Rattay, a veteran's wife. "It's scary that someone close to us could be in a situation like that."

As military helicopters flew overhead, Monessen turned out in a big way to honor the large number of veterans who come from the Mon Valley.

"You can't put into words what happened there [in Fort Hood]," said Bill Trilli, the son of a World War II veteran. "Obviously, we all feel pretty bad about what's happened - all the more reason to come out in support of the veterans."

And a Pittsburgh woman, Juanita Warman, was killed in Thursday's attack. Warman was a military nurse practicioner, she attended Langley High School and earned a Master's degree at Pitt.

"Wartime or not, obviously they are putting their lives on the line every day, no matter what," said Beth Gamble, the wife of a Reservist. "We feel horrible, absolutely horrible."

A tradition has returned to Monessen, a parade to honor our veterans. But one tradition never ceased - many from the Mon Valley are proud to serve their country.

It's a community dedicated to the military. So much so that five generals have come from Monessen.

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