Hempstead Town Notebook: Valentine's Vows, Passport Day

Town Couples Renew Vows

On Valentine’s Day, Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray renewed wedding vows for couples, with at least half the participants having served in World War II, Vietnam, Korea and the Middle East.

Among those who renewed their vows were two Iraq veterans who met on the battlefield, a couple who fell in love during the occupation of Japan and high school sweethearts who were separated by war before finally tying the knot. Murray also honored a member of the Montford Point Marines, who were the first African Americans to serve in the Marines.

Murray renewed vows for the following Town of Hempstead couples:

• Franchesca and Sean Keeffe, of Lynbrook – Operation Iraqi Freedom
• Larry and Alice Pinto, of Merrick – World War II
• Carol and John Ball, of Merrick – Vietnam War
• Tom and Mary Beth Deierlein, of Garden City – Operation Iraqi Freedom
• Walter and Patricia Hetzel, of Levittown – Vietnam War
• Rembert and Dorothy Brown, of Roosevelt – World War II
• Richard and Diane Warren, of Roosevelt – World War II, Korea, Vietnam
• Chris and Barbara Winkeleer, formerly of Baldwin – Stationed in West Germany
• Harry and Carol Ransom, of Hempstead – Vietnam War
• Joe and Toni Reale, of Floral Park – Gulf War

Sponsors for the event included A Taste of Home Bakery of North Bellmore, which donated cakes to the ceremony, Mormile Florist of Rockville Centre and the American Airpower Museum.

Hempstead Town Celebrates "Passport Day In The USA"

Hempstead Town will participate in "Passport Day in the USA," providing passport application services to U.S. citizens on a convenient weekend date. This special passport event will be held at Hempstead Town Hall on Saturday, March 10, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

For passport requirements and fees, please visit www.toh.li/passport-services or call the town’s One-Stop Passport Shop at (516) 812-3100 during regular business hours.