JOHN NEELY PHOTO | General Kropp congratulates Marine Corporal Shannon Fulford of Riverhead, who served tours of duty in Kuwait and Iraq.
More than 300 people packed into Polish Hall Saturday night to pay tribute to about 55 local veterans of the armed forces who have served since the Gulf War in the early 1990s.
The event, called Operation Forever Grateful, was hosted by Riverhead Town and organized by Councilman John Dunleavy, along with Liz Stokes and Linda Hulse.
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Operation Forever Grateful
Wounded veteran Sgt. Sam Cila addressed the audience.
Operation Forever Grateful
Major General Anthony Kropp (left) with event organizer Liz Stokes.
Operation Forever Grateful
Carmela Masiello of Center Moriches (left) with Riverhead's Bobby Peeker, who served one tour of duty in Afganistan.
Operation Forever Grateful
Senior Airman Sean Evans of Wading River (left) with his sister Angela Evans and his neice, 7-month-old Elaina Evans.
Operation Forever Grateful
Staff Sergeant John White (left) with Staff Sergeant Eric Lipinsky, who is now a Riverhead Town police officer.
Operation Forever Grateful
Sergeant Michael Cline of Coram with his wife Alison Cline.
Operation Forever Grateful
Staff Sergeant Bob Payne of Riverhead with his wife Erica.
Operation Forever Grateful
Congressman Tim Bishop (left) with Scott Martella (center) and Shelbi Thurau (right) of Smithtown.
Operation Forever Grateful
Cutting the cake (left to right): Linda Hulse, General Kropp, Liz Stokes, John Dunleavy, and Sgt. Sam Cila.
Operation Forever Grateful
Seven month old Kyra Musselman, the daughter of Captain Phaedra Musselman.
Operation Forever Grateful
Supervisor Walter honoring the gold star families.
Operation Forever Grateful
General Kropp congratulates Marine Corporal Shannon Fulford of Riverhead, who served tours of duty in Kuwait and Iraq.
Operation Forever Grateful
U.S.M.C. Sergeant Michael Scalfani (right) with General Kropp.
Operation Forever Grateful
Brian Smith of V.F.W. Post 2476 (left) and General Kropp exchange business cards.
Operation Forever Grateful
U.S.M.C. Corporal Alfred Grossklaus of Aquebogue discussed his tour in Afganistan with General Kropp.
Operation Forever Grateful
General Kropp (left) and Riverhead's Eugene Lafurno (right) share a laugh while discussing Eugene's experiences with a Navy helicopter rescue unit.
Operation Forever Grateful
General Kropp (left) with First Sergeant Timothy Wiwczar of Flanders, a member of Delta Company of the Army National Guard's Fighting 69th.
Operation Forever Grateful
U.S.M.C. Sergeant Timothy Sargalski of Riverhead (center) with General Kropp (left) and Sgt. Wiwczar (right). Sergeant Sargalski served two tours in Iraq and was stationed in Okinawa for two years.
