BRIDGEVILLE (KDKA) – Veterans Day is a day to remember and honor the men and women who have fought for our country.

Many people who lost loved ones visited the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, where veterans have been laid to rest.

Greg Kern stopped by to salute some old friends.

“He was my father-in-law. He was a great guy. He served his country,” Kern said.

He was one of many who came to the cemetery to honor those living and deceased who have served their county.

“It means a lot. It means a lot to me and my family,” Kern said.

There were the wonderful formalities of an event like this. High school bands performed, local politicians gave speeches.

However the most beautiful images were those of the faces of the old veterans and the fresh-faced young soldiers.

United States Army Sgt. 1st Class Robert Fike was killed in action in Afghanistan. On Friday, his parents paid a visit to the cemetery to honor their son.

“I saw a sign yesterday that said, ‘Real heroes don’t wear capes. They wear dog tags.’ And I just thought that was so appropriate. My son was killed in 2010 and while a parent never really gets over the loss of a child, I just consider him such a hero,” James Fike said. “If he were here today he would look at you and say, ‘I just do what soldiers do.’”

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