Honor 8x Max Flash File

[Muredac Ford]

Itall started with an idea. I know most people stand up and tell stories or give advice during their speeches, but that terrified me. I just don't like speaking in public, especially in front of large groups (A wedding with 150 guests? No, thank you!). So, I thought about an alternative.

My sister, Lisa, and her fianc, now husband, Justin, met while doing the Toms River Exit 82 theater company's production of "Rock of Ages." They both are very talented and love acting and performing. I thought that organizing a flash mob to a song from that show would surprise them. I reached out to their theater friends from Exit 82 and asked if they could help me. They loved the idea.

Nicole Grassano, a friend of Lisa's and Justin's and an Exit 82 member, videotaped herself doing dance moves from the actual Exit 82 performance. This out-of-practice dancer couldn't get all the steps, so I changed a few moves and broke down the flash mob dance for friends and family in video clips that I sent to everyone. (Yes, I videotaped myself dancing in my living room.)

All along, even before my sister got engaged, I knew that when she got married I would pretend I was going to sing a song to her during my matron of honor speech. You see, Lisa has a beautiful voice and sang a song to me and my husband at our wedding. Funny thing is...I can't sing. I mean, I really can't sing. But I thought it would be funny to make her think I was going to. And she fell for it.

When I was handed the microphone to start my speech, I was calm. I knew that this was the moment I had been practicing for. And my sister's reaction was just what I wanted. Confusion. Shock. Joy. Overwhelming happiness. Tear. Tears. More (happy) tears.

What better way to celebrate the love of two people than a surprise flash mob to the song from the show where the two of them met. It is one of those memories that I will never forget. I don't think anyone at the wedding will forget it either.

The 25-minute program commenced with a procession of local and state officials and West Haven fire chiefs and officers and followed with a flag-raising by the West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard, composed of members of the West Haven Fire Department, the West Shore Fire Department and the City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown.

The program concluded with a wreath-laying at the base of the William A. Soderman Memorial by West Haven Vietnam Veterans members Rick Foley and Mark Levine, followed by taps played by retired West Shore Lt. Kevin McKeon.

After the ceremony, families lined the Walk of Honor to search for bricks they purchased in honor of loved ones, both living and deceased. Each $75 brick has a personalized message engraved in charcoal lettering.

In addition to overseeing the construction of all phases of the walkway, which was built by City Point Construction Co. of West Haven, Sabo supervised the design and placement of the granite Korean War and Soderman memorials, which were made by Shelley Bros. Monuments of Guilford.

West Haven Veterans Council President Dave Ricci, a Vietnam Marine Corps vet, delivers remarks as master of ceremonies Rick Spreyer looks on. Ricci is also the president of West Haven Vietnam Veterans Inc. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

West Haven Vietnam Veterans members Mark Levine, left, and Rick Foley salute after laying a wreath at the base of the William A. Soderman Memorial. Looking on are master of ceremonies Rick Spreyer and West Haven, West Shore and Allingtown fire chiefs, officers and firefighters. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Retired West Shore fire Lt. Kevin McKeon, right, plays taps as West Haven Municipal Veterans Rep. Rich Deso, blue hat, and West Haven, West Shore and Allingtown fire chiefs, officers and firefighters salute. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

David Deibel, a member of the Youngstown Air Reserve Base-Community Council and honorary 910th Operations Group commander, takes a photo of the new Youngtown Air Reserve Station tail flash during an unveiling ceremony here, May 3, 2018. 910th Airlift Wing Commander Col. Dan Sarachene decided to update the tail flash to better reflect the status of the unit and pay homage to the installation's surrounding community. The old tail flash featured a red and blue section representing the wing's two flying squadrons, the 773rd and 757th Airlift Squadrons. Only the 757th AS remains at the wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Eric M. White)

Maj. Scott Allen, 910th Airlift Wing public affairs officer, gives remarks during a ceremony to unveil a new nose art and C-130H Hercules tail flash here, May 3, 2018. The new nose art honors the 75th anniversary of the 757th Airlift Squadron, while the new tail flash reflects the wing's heritage and community. (U.S. Air Force photo/Eric M. White)

A group of 910th Airlift Wing Reserve Citizen Airmen and special guests attend an unveiling ceremony for a new C-130H Hercules tail flash and nose art here, May 3, 2018. 910th Airlift Wing Commander Col. Dan Sarachene decided to update the tail flash to better reflect the status of the unit. The old tail flash featured a red and blue section representing the wing's two flying squadrons, the 773rd and 757th Airlift Squadrons. Only the 757th AS remains at the wing. The nose art honors the 75th anniversary of the 757th AS. (U.S. Air Force photo/Eric M. White)

Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel gives remarks during a ceremony to unveil a new C-130H Hercules tail flash and nose art here, May 3, 2018. 910th Airlift Wing Commander Col. Dan Sarachene decided to update the tail flash to better reflect the status of the unit and pay homage to the installation's surrounding community. The old tail flash featured a red and blue section representing the wing's two flying squadrons, the 773rd and 757th Airlift Squadron's. Only the 757th AS remains at the wing. The tail flash features the word Youngstown with a Y stylized after YSU's logo, recognizing the community surrounding the installation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Eric M. White)

A local media representative films the new C-130H Hercules tail flash, unveiled at a ceremony in hangar 305 here, May 3, 2018.910th AW Commander Col. Dan Sarachene decided to update the tail flash to better reflect the status of the unit and pay homage to the installation's surrounding community. The old tail flash featured a red and blue section representing the wing's two flying squadrons, the 773rd and 757th Airlift Squadron's. Only the 757th AS remains at the wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Noah J. Tancer)

Lt. Col. (ret.) John Wingerter, a former pilot with the 757th Airlift Squadron here, talks with Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel, in front of C-130H Hercules nose art depicting the 757th AS Blue Tiger mascot in honor of the 75th anniversary of the 757th AS after an unveiling ceremony here, May 3, 2018. The ceremony also unveiled a new tail flash for the wing's fleet. 910th Airlift Wing Commander Col. Dan Sarachene decided to update the tail flash to better reflect the status of the unit and pay homage to the installation's surrounding community. The old tail flash featured a red and blue section representing the wing's two flying squadrons, the 773rd and 757th Airlift Squadrons. Only the 757th AS remains at the wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Eric M. White)

910th Airlift Wing Command Chief Master Sgt. Bob Potts takes a photo of new C-130H Hercules nose art honoring the 75th anniversary of the 757th Airlift Squadron here, May 3, 2018. The nose art and along with a new tail flash were unveiled during a ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo/Eric M. White)

910th Airlift Wing Commander Col. Dan Sarachene talks with a local reporter May 3, 2018, after a ceremony to unveil a new aircraft tail flash and nose art. Sarachene decided to update the tail flash to better reflect the status of the unit. The old tail flash featured a red and blue section representing the wing's two flying squadrons, the 773rd and 757th Airlift Squadrons. Only the 757th AS remains at the wing. The nose art honors the 75th anniversary of the 757th AS. (U.S. Air Force photo/Eric M. White)

Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel and 910th Airlift Wing Commander Dan Sarachene talk near a pair of C-130H Hercules aircraft here, May 3, 2018, after a ceremony to unveil a new aircraft tail flash and nose art. Sarachene decided to update the tail flash to better reflect the status of the unit and pay homage to the installation's surrounding community. The Y in the word Youngstown on the tail flash is stylized after YSU's logo. The old tail flash featured a red and blue section representing the wing's two flying squadrons, the 773rd and 757th Airlift Squadrons. Only the 757th AS remains at the wing. The new nose art pays homage to the 75th anniversary of the 757th AS. (U.S. Air Force photo/Eric M. White)

Youngstown State University President and Honorary 910th Airlift Wing Commander Jim Tressel, 910th AW Commander Col. Dan Sarachene and 910th AW Public Affairs Office Superintendent Master Sgt. Bob Barko Jr. (left to right), pose for a photo under two C-130H Hercules tails with the new tail flash design during an unveiling ceremony here May 3, 2018. Sarachene decided to update the tail flash to better reflect the status of the unit and pay homage to the installation's surrounding community. The old tail flash featured a red and blue section representing the wing's two flying squadrons, the 773rd and 757th Airlift Squadron's. Only the 757th AS remains at the wing. Barko designed the tail flash. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Noah J. Tancer)

During several meetings and casual conversations within the public affairs office, several different ideas for the tail flash floated around. One that kept coming up was to tie the new design into the Mahoning Valley.

The City of Temecula appreciates and respects the service and commitment of all those who have served our country in the Armed Forces. To honor these selfless individuals, Temecula has created the Path of Honor Veteran Paver Campaign to recognize our military heroes.

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