New Brighton Memorial Day Association

05/25/2026

05/24/2026

In May of 2020, our streets were quiet, and the traditional crowds didn't gather. For the first time in generations, we were unable to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in person. Yet, even in isolation, the heartbeat of New Brighton did not falter.

We knew that while our world had paused, our duty to remember never could.
​This video from that quiet spring stands as a lasting testament to that unbroken promise.

​Memorial Day carries a sacred weight. At its truest core, it is not merely a long weekend or the start of a season, but a solemn pause to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice—those who gave their lives in defense of our nation.

This tribute honors the veterans of New Brighton. Many featured in these frames have since left us, but the legacy of their sacrifice remains permanently woven into the fabric of our town.

​As you watch these images pass by, we ask you to look closely at the faces of our history. Who do you recognize? Whose hand did you shake?

​We invite you to share your memories in the comments below—tell the stories of their service, their lives, and the impact they left behind. By speaking their names and remembering their deeds, we ensure their sacrifice is never lost to time.

​New Brighton will never forget our brothers and sisters who answered the call.

​

05/24/2026

Today, we look back to July 1918 and honor a son of New Brighton who never made it home.
​Private Walter Adkins served our country on the bloody battlefields of France during World War I. He was a member of Company M, 110th Infantry Regiment—part of Pennsylvania’s legendary 28th "Keystone" Division.
His family lived right here in town on 5th Avenue.

​On July 15, 1918, during the opening hours of the brutal Battle of the Marne, Walter’s unit came under a massive, devastating German artillery bombardment near Condé-en-Brie. While sheltering with his brothers-in-arms, their dugout took a direct hit. Walter and six of his fellow soldiers were killed instantly. Though initially laid to rest in France, he was eventually brought home to New Brighton and is buried at Grove Cemetery.

​His legacy still stands strong on our local streets. When our local veterans returned home and established American Legion Post 19 right here in New Brighton, they proudly named it in his honor—ensuring the name of the hometown boy who made the ultimate sacrifice would live on for generations.

​Walter Adkins was young, he was one of us, and he gave everything on the Western Front.
​Today, we say his name so he is never forgotten. Let us carry his memory, and the memory of all our local heroes, in our hearts this Memorial Day weekend.

​

05/23/2026

Today, we remember another one of our own: Marine Corps Lance Corporal William John Bilbo Jr.

​William was a proud son of New Brighton, born on August 4, 1948. At just 19 years old, he answered the call to serve his country, heading to Vietnam on July 1, 1968, as a Machine Gunner with C Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Marines.

​Tragically, just two months into his tour, LCPL Bilbo was killed in action by hostile fire in the Quang Nam province of South Vietnam on August 26, 1968. He was only 20 years old.
​For his immense bravery and sacrifice, William was awarded the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

His name is permanently etched into our town’s history, and into the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. (Panel W46, Line 26).

​To William’s family, friends, and fellow veterans who still carry his memory in their hearts: New Brighton has not forgotten. We stand on the shoulders of giants like LCPL Bilbo, whose courage represents the very best of our hometown.

​This Memorial Day, when you hear the playing of Taps or see the flags lining our streets, please take a moment to remember William Bilbo.

​“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

​

05/22/2026

This Memorial Day, as we enjoy the holiday weekend with our families here in town, let’s pause to remember a hometown boy who walked our same streets but never got the chance to grow old here.

​Private First Class David Albanese was a proud member of the New Brighton High School Class of 1947. Just three years after graduation, he found himself on the front lines of the Korean War during the brutal, back-against-the-wall defense of the Pusan Perimeter.

​On August 15, 1950, David was seriously wounded in action by enemy fire. What he did next defines the unbelievable grit of his generation: refusing to abandon his brothers-in-arms, he patched himself up and returned to the front lines just one single week later. Tragically, on September 1, 1950, as the enemy launched a massive offensive to break the American lines, David was killed in action. He was only 21 years old.

​Because David and his unit refused to yield, the perimeter held, saving countless lives and changing the course of history.

​David left his youth and his future on a battlefield on the other side of the world so that we could safely enjoy ours here in Beaver County.
To the Albanese family and all our local Gold Star families who carry the weight of this day every single day: New Brighton has not forgotten.

​Rest in peace, PFC Albanese. Your hometown remembers.

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05/21/2026

As we begin Memorial Day weekend, we are dedicating each day to honoring a local Gold Star Family and remembering the ultimate sacrifice of their fallen hero.

​Today, we honor the legacy of a hometown hero from New Brighton: Marine Corps Sergeant Andrew M. Hovancik Jr.
​Sergeant Hovancik was born on September 28, 1946, and called Beaver County home. He answered the call to serve his country by enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he became a Rifleman with the legendary "Magnificent Bastards"—Hotel Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division.
​On July 16, 1967, while operating in South Vietnam’s Thừa Thiên province near the DMZ, Sergeant Hovancik was tragically killed in action by hostile artillery and mortar fire. He was just 20 years old.

​Fellow Marines who served alongside him remembered him not only for his incredible leadership and survival skills—which helped save lives—but also for how fondly he spoke of his hometown of New Brighton.

​To the Hovancik family, and to all Gold Star families who carry the weight of freedom every single day: We remember, we
honor, and we are forever grateful.

​Sergeant Hovancik’s name is permanently etched into the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. (Panel 23E, Line 80), and his legacy lives on right here in our community.

​Join us in the comments below in honoring his memory. Semper Fidelis.
​

05/15/2026

Third Grade Students and football players from New Brighton School-District spent the morning at Grove Cemetery and Holy Family Cemetery placing flags on the Graves of Veterans.

A group of students also took the opportunity to pay their respects to Donald Mittner who retired from NBASD and also served as our Board President until his passing earlier this year. The students even gave a 1 o'clock yell in honor of our Veterans.

A group of adults will be walking the cemeteries this Sunday to look for any plots the kids may have missed. Should you find your veteran is missing a flag, we have flags available on the office porch on the honor system. These are only for veteran's graves and not for home use.

If you have a loved one who served in need of a Veteran Marker for their plot, please message us!

Great work, Kids! New Brighton appreciates your work! Thank you to Diane Mittner-D'addio , Aimee Reese Mayer and Laura Fabyanic Schooley for bringing the kids.

https://beavercountyradio.com/news/new-brighton-students-honor-veterans-with-flags-at-local-cemeteries/

04/21/2026

We want to extend our thanks to our neighbors Craigs Hardware Inc. for donating the flags that we hand out to the kids ahead of the parade! This year, kids will receive special flags to commemorate America's 250th Anniversary.

We also extend our thanks to our friends Butler Gas Products Company for paying for the mulch that will be spread at our local cemeteries.

We value our local businesses! These are the people that make us Lion Proud. We ask that you support those who support our community! Let's keep our legacy alive. Stop by Grove Cemetery and immerse yourself in our rich history and keep it alive! Maybe pick up a stick or two to help our volunteer grass cutters out!

"A Veteran dies first when they take their last breath, and a second time when their name is spoken for the last time."

03/26/2026

With heavy hearts, our Board of Directors met tonight to adjust our plans for this year's Memorial Day Events. We began our meeting with a moment of silence in honor of our friend and guide, Donald Mittner With his passing, the Board was forced to reorganize our members.

Mike Radatovich will assume the role of the Association Chair. Andrew Glover will take over as Vice-Chair. Julie Ross Martin will be serving as our Secretary. The board also welcomed Diane Mittner-D'addio, carrying on the legacy of her father and brother both.

We continue to lift up the Mittner family and our community in our hearts.