Seaford pays tribute to veterans

Seaford American Legion Post 1132 held its annual Veterans Day ceremony last week to honor those who have previously served in war and those who are still fighting.

Starting at exactly 10:40 a.m., speakers from the legion on Penatiquit Avenue spoke to an audience of nearly 60 people, sharing thoughts and ideas of what Veterans Day means to them.

“It’s great to see the community come together and recognize the veterans,” post Commander Bill Harms said. “We try to have the ceremony as close to 11 [a.m.] as possible because World War I ended on Nov. 11, 1917.”

Cub Scouts from the Harbor Elementary School were also in attendance at the ceremony, alongside Seaford Scout leaders, to honor the veterans in uniform.

“At this age, they need to know what this day is really about,” Cub Scout Committee Chair Gina Pinos said. “Being here makes it very concrete because they get to actually meet the gentlemen who were in these past wars and they get to be a part of the ceremony which gets them involved.”

“I love looking out into the room and watching the youngsters listen and try to understand what it means to be a veteran,” Harms, the 10-year post commander, added.

About halfway through the service, red, white and blue wreaths were presented to the post from various groups including the Seaford Fire Department, The American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Unit and the Legion itself.

Members of the Fire Department also joined the service to honor veterans from past wars. “We have a lot of veterans in the Fire Department,” Chief Robert Podesta said, “so it’s really good that this brings everyone and all of the families together.”

Many Seaford veterans and members of the post enjoyed the small ceremony and paid respect to fallen heroes. Taylor Diehlmann, a 93-year-old World War II veteran, was the oldest active member of the legion present.