Dear editor:
Today we grieved the loss of a man who served his country, town, family and friends. We were waiting outside the church as they loaded his body onto the fire truck for his final escort through town, past the departments he served.
Thank you to those of you who we saw saying a prayer and crossing your hearts as you sat in your cars or trucks at the stop light. Thanks to those who stood along the streets and waved, prayed, crossed yourselves or showed respect in your own way.
But to those of you who cut into the funeral procession and created havoc, or to those who stood at a crosswalk and hollered about not being able to cross the street as we passed, I can only hope that in your time of loss, when you are trying to take your loved one to his final place, that someone shows you more respect than you showed us. There is nothing so important that you can't give a family a few minutes of time. The disrespect shown today several times, was unbelievable.
I hope that the woman at 2nd St who never even looked to see who she was cutting in line with and then stayed in line until Market St. is ashamed. You had to have realized, especially in front of the fire department, that you were somewhere you didn't belong. There were plenty of places you could have pulled off or gotten out of the way, but to stay in line until Market St. and then proceed to stop at the light - unbelievable! You were holding up many people who needed to be in that line of traffic.
Thank you again to all who participated in any way with my uncle's funeral. Thank you to all who volunteer or serve to make our world a better place.
Respectfully and regrettably submitted,
P. DiPenti
Niece of a fallen hero
Russell