Veterans honored with parade in Butler on coldest Veterans Day in region in 7 years

November 11, 2025 Last Updated: November 11, 2025 04:31 PM Local News

Butler had its annual Veterans Day parade on Tuesday, Nov. 11, in which dozens of participants made their way down Main Street for a roaring crowd. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Veterans said they were honored young people and families came out on the coldest Veterans Day in the region since 2018 to watch the parade down Butler’s Main Street.

Tim Moreino, station commander of the General Butler Chapter 64 of Disabled American Veterans, intended to march in the parade but decided against it because of the weather, which would affect injuries he sustained during his service. However, he attended the parade as a spectator, wanting to represent Disabled American Veterans.

Moreino served in the Air Force from 1972 to 1976 and then in the Army until 1984. He said during the Vietnam War, his commanding officers weren’t retiring, which left him without room to move up in rank. So, Moreino transferred to the Army.

“I wanted to be a career soldier,” Moreino said.

Moreino said he was forced to retire when a 2.5-ton truck he was driving went off a bridge in 1983. He said it took him about four months to walk again after suffering a compound fracture to his femur, among other injuries, and he went through facial reconstruction surgery.

Today, Moreino is a certified peer specialist with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The veterans organizations that participated in the parade were Bantam Marine Corps League Detachment No. 743, Disabled American Veterans General Butler Chapter No. 64, the Penn Township Veterans Association, Saxonburg VFW Post 7376, the American Legion Riders, hospitalized veterans from the Sergeant George Kusick VA Community Living Center and marching veterans from around the county, according to Shawnee Young, director of Butler County Veterans Services, which hosted the parade.

Sam Zurzolo, a retired sergeant major from the U.S. Marine Corps, said the music from the Butler, Knoch, Karns City, Moniteau and Slippery Rock high school marching bands filled him with pride for his military service.

“It’s so amazing to see the young kids honoring veterans,” Zurzolo said.

Zurzolo served from 1957 to 1960 during the Vietnam War. He said people who served in that war weren’t as respected when he enlisted. He remembered being spat on by onlookers at other parades he’d marched in.

https://youtu.be/ViBpDfJvu4w

Dave Sherman, another Marine Corps veteran who marched in the parade, said he served during the Vietnam War in 1966 and 1967. He started working in supply for six months at a base in North Carolina after leaving Parris Island in South Carolina.

He then served at a base in California for about a month before being deployed to Vietnam on the USS Walker.

“I’m happy to be alive,” Sherman said.” It’s inspiring to hear the music.”

According to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, Butler experienced lows of 27 degrees and highs of 38 degrees on Veterans Day. The weather services expected some snow accumulation, but did not expect it to stick on the roads.

The last Veterans Day when temperatures were comparable was 2018, which had a high of 41 degrees and a low of 21 degrees recorded in Pittsburgh. Temperatures were warmer last year with recorded high of 61 degrees and low of 49 degrees. In 2021, the high for Veterans Day was 71 degrees.

Ryker Tini waves a flag as the Knoch High School band passes by during Butler’s annual Veterans Day parade down Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

The Shriners make their way down Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, during the Veterans Day parade in Butler. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Sam Zurzolo, a retired sergeant major from the U.S. Marine Corps, rides in the annual Veterans Day parade down Butler’s Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Commissioner Kevin Boozel cheers during the annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler EagleButler held its annual Veterans Day parade on Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Commissioner Kim Geyer watches during the annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler EagleButler held its annual Veterans Day parade on Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Ryker Tini waves a flag as the Knoch band passes by during Butler’s annual Veterans Day parade on Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Butler held its annual Veterans Day parade on Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Butler hosted its annual Veterans Day parade on Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Commissioner Kevin Boozel cheers during the annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler EagleButler held its annual Veterans Day parade on Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Commissioner Kim Geyer watches during the annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler EagleButler held its annual Veterans Day parade on Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The annual Veterans Day parade in Butler was along Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Ryker Tini waves a flag as the Knoch band passes by during Butler’s annual Veterans Day parade on Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler held its annual Veterans Day parade on Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler held its annual Veterans Day parade on Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler held its annual Veterans Day parade on Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler held its annual Veterans Day parade on Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler held its annual Veterans Day parade on Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler held its annual Veterans Day parade on Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler held its annual Veterans Day parade on Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler held its annual Veterans Day parade on Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler held its annual Veterans Day parade on Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler hosted its annual Veterans Day parade on Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle