Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall is the largest memorial building in the United States dedicated solely to America’s fighting personnel. It represents all branches of service while honoring both career and citizen soldiers. The mission of the organization is to preserve a lasting tribute to those men and women who unselfishly gave of themselves while serving their country during America’s wars.

The Front Hall

Each of the corridors is named for a compass direction, except for The Front Hall. This hall was so named by the Union Civil War veterans who refused to assign the word “south” to any part of the building.

Exhibits in the Front Hall include displays about Fort Pitt and the Duquesne Greys along with tributes to veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the War on Terrorism. Three supplemental display areas also are featured: 1) “Wartime Youth” highlights military themes associated with American children during times of war; 2) An exhibit explains how soldiers and families remain connected during wars; 3) The Dr. William Stone Room contains a timeline display of U.S. metallic cartridge firing military weapons from the Civil War to Vietnam .

The Gettysburg Room features the exhibit “Slave to Soldier” and tells the African American experience from servitude to service. It travels along a timeline — enslavement, abolition, the Underground Railroad and a look at the black soldier and black veteran. Also on exhibit are artifacts and information about the Battle of Gettysburg.

The West Hall

Exhibits in The West Hall are dedicated to the Civil War. These include: 1) The cap that Lt. James Harbison of the 139th Pa. Volunteer Infantry was wearing during the battle of Salem Heights when a bullet went through it and killed him; 2) Artillery shells from the Allegheny Arsenal; 3) Civil War uniforms that include two rare and colorful Zouave uniforms and a representative green frock coat from Berdan’s Sharpshooters.

This hall also contains a tribute to Abraham Lincoln, honors African American veterans from the war and salutes the soldiers who fought during the Spanish American War in Cuba and the Philippines.

The North Hall

Exhibits in this section include artifacts and mementos from the opening of the Memorial Hall during 1910, World War I artifacts (a rare aviator’s uniform, examples of trench art and uniforms from the 28th Division that became the Pennsylvania National Guard), American military headgear from the Civil War to the present and artifacts from World War II (including personalized painted leather A2 jackets worn by crew members flying missions over Europe in bombers and fighter planes).

Stained glass windows honor hometown heroes of the 99^th Division. Known as “Battle Babies” due to their youth, this division’s first assignment led them to the Battle of the Bulge.

The East Hall

Exhibits honor the various military branches, civilians and organizations that helped lead the U.S. to victory during WW II. The “Beyond the Battlefield” section depicts the evolution of prosthetic limbs throughout war and showcases the technological advancements made available to the medical community. This area also includes tributes to those who served during the Korean War, a look at the Cold War and a remembrance of American POW’s and MIA’s. Artifacts from Operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom also are displayed.

The Joseph A. Dugan Jr. Hall of Valor, since 1941, honors Pennsylvanians who have received valor medals, including the Medal of Honor, Silver Star, Distinguished Service Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Vital Information

Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall is located at 4141 Fifth Avenue in Pittsburgh (near Forbes Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard). Museum hours are Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Administrative offices are open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The memorial is open Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day.

Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for adults 60+ and $5 for children (age 5-13). Free admission is offered to military members serving on active duty, and in the Guard and Reserve. Free access also is provided to veterans who have served, to retired military and to families and guests if the family has an immediate member serving during a current conflict.

[Image: Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall]

Mount Those Bikes

BikeFest 2010 (August 6-15) is Pittsburgh’s largest cycling celebration. It is not one continuous organized event. Instead, BikeFest is a framework for volunteers and organizations to organize bicycle-themed events for one or more days within the 10-day period. It is for anyone who likes to ride every day, ride only on weekends, or just always wanted to try.

The BikeFest Kickoff Party on August 6 gets things rolling. It is a fundraiser for BikePGH at the Pittsburgh Opera at 2425 Liberty Avenue.

Get up to speed at the BikeFest website.

Sustainable Eating

The fourth annual Rachel’s Sustainable Feast comes to Pittsburgh on Sunday, August 29. This is a new date for the festival since the Pittsburgh Steelers are playing a home game on September 12.

The best chefs of Pittsburgh, who are committed to buying local produce, will attend this block party along with the folks from the local farmers’ markets and from many environmental, conservation and fair-trade organizations. This year, they will be squeezed into one big “bridge” party held at the 9^th Street  Rachel Carson Bridge.

Why the bridge? Well, the event has become so popular that it no longer can be held at The Rachel Carson Homestead in Springdale. Who was Rachel Carson? During her life, Carson promoted environmental ethics and health.

Kiss Me, I’m Irish/Italian

Right around the corner, in September, a couple of heritage festivals will feature the cultures of Pittsburgh’s Irish and Italians.

Traditional and contemporary Irish entertainment will be the centerpiece of the 20^th annual Pittsburgh Irish Festival, September 10-12, at Riverplex at Sandcastle near the Waterfront in West Homestead/Pittsburgh. The best Irish food, music and dancing will be part of the fun all weekend. Gaelic sports also are on the schedule and the competition is open to everyone.

Filled with the captivating aromas emanating from its grocery shops and restaurants, the streets of Pittsburgh’s Little Italy are enticing on any day of the year. But, for one weekend, September 24-26, these same streets become even more alive with all things Italian for the Bloomfield Little Italy Days.

Enjoy the classic music, a bocce tournament, northern and southern Italian dishes (and some Americanized versions, too) along with all the cannoli, sfogliatelle and spumoni that a belly can hold.

The centerpiece of the festival is the Sunday procession of a life-size statue of Madonna della Civita and Jesus.

[Image: pittsburghsigns.org]