Love was in the air

Three local couples celebrated a renewal of their wedding vows at an affair of love held at the American Airpower Museum in Farmingdale on Valentine’s Day.

On a day steeped in romance, local veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Operation Iraqi Freedom chose to make a second trip down the aisle in a ceremony sponsored by the Town of Hempstead and Supervisor Kate Murray.

“We thought that, it being Valentine’s Day, we would like to do something special to commemorate our local veterans and to honor those who have defended our freedom on the battlefield,” said Murray, who was master of ceremonies at the event.

With historic war aircraft as the backdrop and photos from the past and present all around, the couples, some outfitted in their dress uniforms, walked down the aisle to a makeshift altar. Uniquely decorated wedding cakes were given to each couple, donated by Taste of Home Bakery in East Meadow, along with a toast of sparkling cider and other refreshments.

Franchesca and Sean Keefe, of Lynbrook, served as Army Engineers in Balad, Iraq, as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004. Having met at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, the couple bonded while in Iraq, working together on a variety of construction projects. After returning home from their tours of duty, the couple got engaged on Christmas Eve 2006 under the tree in Rockefeller Center. The Keefes have been married since 2008.

Chris and Barbara Winkeleer, formerly of Baldwin, met in West Germany in 1982 as air traffic controllers in the U.S. Air Force. After going their separate ways, the couple kept in touch through letters and tapes — until Chris proposed to his “soulmate” over the phone. Married in 1984, the couple has endured being separated through deployment and will celebrate their 28th anniversary next month.

Larry and Alice Pinto, of Merrick, met at an East Rockaway High School basketball game in 1942, where Alice was a cheerleader. After they began their courtship, Larry enlisted in the Marines, joining World War II in the Pacific, fighting with the 4th Marine division in battles including Iwo Jima, Okinawa and the Battle of Saipan. After they wrote letters back and forth for two years, Larry returned home and proposed to Alice. “Those letters were my saving grace over there,” said Pinto. The two were married November 29, 1947, close to 65 years ago.