Seaford commemorates war dead

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The mood was as reflective as the day was sunny and warm, as marchers made their way up Washington Avenue in Seaford on Memorial Day to the sound of muffled drums. Scout troops, members of the American Legion, bagpipers and the Seaford High School band were among the participants in the town’s remembrances of the men and women who gave their lives for their country.
Veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Africa, the Middle East and Afghanistan were among those honored and honoring their comrades with wreaths, prayers and music.
Among the spectators, Samantha Roth, age one-and-a-half, and sporting stars-and-stripes bows in her hair was attending her first parade, accompanied by her sisters Abigail, 7, and Juliet, 9.
Girl Scout Mary Saporito, 13, came to give her support to sister scout troops. Saporito said she is currently working on her Gold Award but has yet to receive approval for her project.
As the parade neared its destination, golden Labrador Murphy, perhaps not completely comfortable with the music of bagpipes, anxiously followed his human companion, Anthony Kessler.

Behindout the duo and brining up the rear of the marchers, the Ancient Order of Hibernians’ Tara Pipes and Drums from Massapequa played “God Bless America” and “America the Beautiful” to close the parade.
Master of ceremonies Ed Smith, from Seaford American Legion Post 1162 presided, along with post Commander Bill Hohn and Chaplain Charles Wrorechewski. The Legion’s wreath was presented by Korean War veteran Renato Ricci; John Diehlmann, who served in the China-Burma-India theater during World War II; and Gary Iorio, a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge.
Other veterans taking part included Vietnam era vets Rudy Lazina and Stan Swenson and Somalia veteran Hector Anguita, who made up the ceremonial firing party.
The observances closed with high school trumpeter Tyler Reeves’s offering of taps.