Soldier’s sacrifice is honored

WEST PITTSTON – Three words seemed to be everywhere on Wednesday, on vehicles and banners: Freedom isn’t free.

They call it the ultimate sacrifice.

Pittston’s 1st Lt. Jeffrey F. DePrimo made the sacrifice and received a hero’s sendoff as the casket carrying his remains was taken from the Pennsylvania National Guard Armory to his hometown parish, then to his final resting place in a small Hughestown cemetery.

The 35-year-old Pennsylvania National Guardsman was killed May 20 in Afghanistan.

His family, friends, fellow soldiers and community came together to bid him farewell.

The flag in front of the armory remained at half staff. Flags waved in the wind on a sunny day along Susquehanna Avenue in West Pittston. Mayor Bill Goldsworthy said the more than 3,000 flags and 500 purple bows that adorned the borough were donated for the service.

DePrimo’s casket was draped in an American flag; it rested below a much larger flag at the rear of the armory.

In the side parking lot, motorcycle riders from six veterans groups revved their motors as they prepared to lead the funeral procession.

“Not to take anything away from today, but this is the way it should be when a soldier is killed,” said Hawkeye, a Vietnam veteran who would only further identify himself as Len. “I recall the welcome home we got when our guys came home in caskets. It wasn’t the same. This is the way every vet should be honored when they give their life for their country.”

More than 200 Wyoming Area students lined both sides of Susquehanna Avenue, setting up an honor guard.

“This is one of the greatest honors anyone can do in service to their country,” said Katie Perugini, 18, senior class president. “We felt we should come here and show our support for what he has done.”

“This is a show of respect from the community and our school for someone who has sacrificed his life for us,” he said.

Goldsworthy said he was proud to see people of all ages come out to support the DePrimo family and bid farewell to a hometown hero.

“We want to erect a monument in Lt. DePrimo’s honor right here on the armory grounds,” Goldsworthy said. State Sen. Ray Musto, D-Pittston Township, has offered to help, he said.

In addition to the Vietnam veterans, five other groups were in attendance: Patriot Guard Riders, Soldiers’ Angels, Friends of the Forgotten, Rolling Thunder and Wyoming Valley Motorcycle Club.

Desert Storm veteran Tom Tito of Soldiers’ Angels said it’s important for veterans to support a comrade killed in action.

“They’re doing what they’re doing over there so we can do what we’re doing here,” Tito said of American soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. “As soldiers, as men and women in service to their country, they deserve our fullest respect.”

Fred Peters, whose two sons served in Iraq, said he understands what families go through during difficult times.

“It’s stressful,” Peters said. “I owe it to my boys to come out and support Lt. DePrimo and his family.”

Lori Nuss of the Patriot Guard Riders considered it an honor to attend the funeral.

“It’s hard because you know it’s somebody’s child or brother or sister, but we do it to honor the soldier,” Nuss said. “It touches all of us.”

Neighbors chatted inside St. Mary’s Assumption Cemetery in Hughestown as they waited for the funeral procession to arrive. The rifle team practiced its 21-gun salute and the bugler prepared to render “Taps” at ceremony’s end.

The motorcycles were first to arrive. A flag on one bike read: “All Gave Some; Some Gave All.”

White gloved hands rose to salute DePrimo as the casket was taken from the hearse and placed on a bier under a blue tent. American flags and DePrimo’s medals – Bronze Star and Purple Heart – were presented to DePrimo’s mother and father.

At 1:11 p.m., the service ended. The mourners approached DePrimo’s family then slowly left the cemetery.

At 1:29, the military honor guard raised the casket and carried DePrimo to his final resting place 50 yards away.