Farmingdale salutes a fallen hero

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. That left an impression on teenager James Argentine who later decided to join the military.

Now the 22 year old has left an impression on this entire village.

Farmingdale's main street looks like your typical American town center.

But if you look closely and focus on people's eyes, you'll see pain, respect, and patriotism.

"This is a true hero. This is a true hero," Diane Panzarino said.

Streets are lined with American flags, symbols of why Lance Corporal James Argentine lost his life.

"It's too bad he's so young. He had a whole life ahead of him," Morty Roberts said.

The 22 year old was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan.

He and two other riflemen were supporting combat operations.

His body was brought here to Farmingdale for his wake, funeral and burial.

Moms here said they don't know what it's like to lose a child, but they know what it means to love one.

"It's anybody's son. It's anybody's son," Panzarino said. "I'm a mother. When you think about a 22 year old putting his life on the line it hits you right in the gut.

Rain didn't stop neighbors from showing respect.

Argentine graduated from Saint Anthony's High School then attended SUNY Oneonta for a year before enlisting.

"It shows how much he loved this country. He was their only child. He took a big risk. He paid the ultimate price for all our freedom. We appreciate it. That's why everyone came to show their respect," Eileen Francois said.


NEW YORK AND TRI-STATE AREA NEWS

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