PHOTOS: Full House for Operation Forever Grateful

A sold out Saturday night, with 300 plates and filled tables packing the to honor nearly 50 Riverhead residents.

The first-time event titled 'Operation Forever Grateful' - organized by Councilman John Dunleavy, Town Board Coordinator Linda Hulse and Liz Stokes, the head of circulation at the Riverhead Free Library - recognized those who served in the Persian Gulf War and since.

Dunleavy, in his welcome message, alluded to a poem read by his town board colleague, Councilman Jim Wooten, when he said, "These people make the ultimate sacrifice so those that remain will live free. Too often we take this sacrifice for granted. Tonight we are here to show our veterans how much we care. How much appreciate their sacrifice. And how our lives are enriched, guaranteed and protected by their service."

The following individuals wee honored on Saturday night:

• Sgt. Richard Acritelli
• Pfc. Matthew Atkins
• Sgt. Tim Barget
• MSgt. Dennis Byrne
• SMSgt. Kevin Carrick
• MSgt. Darrell Carrisk
• SMSgt. Joshua Carrisk
• Maj. David Carrick
• Maj. Stephen Charkow
• Sgt. Sam Cila
• TSgt. Eric Cohen
• SPC. Emily Connors
• MSgt. Daniel Cushing
• B.G. Ramond Doyle
• Sgt. Mark Dunleavy
• SrA. Sean Evans
• ABE2 Jeremy Frost
• Cpl. Shannon Fulford
• Cpl. Alfred Grossklaus
• Sgt. Scott Hnetnka
• Sgt. Reed Hollinsworth
• Sgt. Joseph Jones
• Maj. Colleen Judd Sabat
• Sgt. Thomas Keenan
• Cpl. Michael Keenan
• Maj. Jake Kubetz
• Ens. Eugene Laferno Jr.
• SSgt. Frederick Ligon
• SSgt. Eric Lipnsky
• SPC. Jay Mildner
• Capt. Phaedra Musselman
• Sgt. Thomas Majdzion
• Sgt. Robert Payne
• Cpl. Bobby Peeker
• Cpl. William Peeker IV
• CDR. Paul Pierzchanowski
• TSgt. Phillip Pierzchanowski
• CW2 William Ryan
• Sgt. Timothy Sargalski
• SMSgt. Carl Schlender
• Cpl. Kieran Schwarz
• SSgt. Michael Sclafani
• SrA. John Seus
• SPC. Brian Smith
• CPT. Dakota Smith
• 1SG. Timothy Wiwczar
• SPC. Tajua Wiwczar