HARRISBURG, Pa. –
Two riverboats in Pennsylvania hosted cruises for Surviving Families on June 12.
In coordination with Pennsylvania National Guard Survivor Outreach Services, The Pride of the Susquehanna in Harrisburg and The Gateway Clipper in Pittsburgh hosted events on the same day as other riverboats across the country.
“It’s great that we have not one but two riverboats in our state participating in this nationwide event,” said Pennsylvania Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, who participated in the cruise aboard The Pride of the Susquehanna. “We can’t support these families enough and it’s great to participate in events like this.”
Those who lost family members in the line of duty were treated to a picnic and boat ride on the river. Eight survivor families from Pennsylvania boarded The Pride of the Susquehanna. Some families were of fallen National Guard members while others were of fallen active-duty members.
“The fact that they don’t forget us is great and it’s not just because you are being thought of but more importantly our lost service members are not forgotten,” said Dana Pellegrini-Shearon, the sister of Cpl. Gennaro Pellegrini, who was killed in action in Iraq in 2005. “I love to talk about Gerry (Gennaro) and I get to do it all the time.”
While Schindler participated in the cruise aboard The Pride of the Susquehanna, Brig. Gen. Laura McHugh, deputy adjutant general-Army, participated in the cruise aboard The Gateway Clipper.
"It was truly amazing day in Pittsburgh with a number of our Gold Star and Surviving Families," McHugh said. "These special people show great strength in the face of adversity, and they inspire me."
The inaugural Survivor Outreach trip for both riverboats was held in 2019 after The Belle of Cincinnati riverboat asked for riverboats across the country to join their annual program to host a Survivors Connections Event for Surviving Families. Due to COVID, this year marks the second event hosted by the two Pennsylvania boats.