Posted on 04/05/2003 3:01:58 AM PST by Dr. Scarpetta
BETHLEHEM -- Huddling beneath a gray sky over the Lehigh Valley, mourners waited in the cold for more than an hour Friday to pay their respects to the family of Army Capt. Christopher Scott Seifert.
A native of Williams Twp. and member of the 101st Airborne, Seifert was killed last month in Kuwait City when Sgt. Hasan Akbar allegedly tossed live grenades into tents at the division's command center and opened fire as soldiers scrambled for safety.
Mourners began arriving for Seifert's viewing more than hour before it was scheduled to begin in the Old Chapel -- the chapel in which Seifert and his wife, Theresa, were married in 1999 -- at the Central Moravian Church Campus at Main and Church streets.
Two gray limousines and a gray hearse each adorned with a pair of American flags were parked along Heckwelder Place. Also along the road was the line of mourners that at times numbered more than 100 people as it flowed in and out of the church.
News of Seifert's death focused media attention on the Lehigh Valley, and media interest was apparent Friday. A Bethlehem police cruiser blocked a lane of the Hill-to-Hill Bridge to allow parking for television news vans from the CBS, NBC and ABC Philadelphia affiliates.
At the request of the family, a small area just off Main Street was roped off as the "military funeral designated media area."
Spokespeople handling media relations for the Seifert family expect a flood of national media for today's funeral services scheduled to start at 1 p.m. Central Moravian Church seats 1,100, and overflow contingencies have been planned to handle 1,525 people.
A police presence also was evident Friday with a police car and a uniformed officer stationed in front of Central Moravian Church, a plainclothes detail circulating throughout the area and two bicycle patrols circling the block.
"We're just trying to make sure the family's wishes are honored," an officer said.
Mourners could be seen carrying flowers and wearing American flag pins on their lapels. Among those waiting to pay their respects were a number of military personnel. At one point, a lone sailor could be seen ascending the steps toward Heckwelder Place to wait with the other mourners.
Mike Frisoli, 72, of Hanover Township said he retired from the Army in 1968 after 22 years in the service. He said he did not personally know the family but wanted to pay his respects to any soldier from the area killed in action.
"I feel it's my duty since I'm too old to get recalled," Frisoli said.
Wearing his royal blue uniform with three red stripes down each pant leg, Frisoli said that he felt a brotherhood with Seifert although he did not know him and was old enough to be his grandfather.
"When something like this happens, you feel helpless," Frisoli said. "And this helps you cope with that helplessness. Reporter Edward Sieger can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at esieger@express-times.com.
Mourners began arriving for Seifert's viewing more than hour before it was scheduled to begin in the Old Chapel -- the chapel in which Seifert and his wife, Theresa, were married in 1999 -- at the Central Moravian Church Campus at Main and Church streets in Bethlehem.
Mike Frisoli, 72, of Hanover Township . . . wanted to pay his respects to any soldier from the area killed in action.
He was murdered by a homegrown terrorist, pure and simple.
That Akbar is being held in an undisclosed location in the US, says it all. (Last I read it was Ft. Knox)
May the family of Captain Christopher Scott Seifert find peace.
I hope they do too, but considering how Capt. Seifert died, I'm sure it's a nightmare for the family. Let's hope the services are looking out for other Akbars.
His young wife and baby, as well as his parents, will need a lot of prayers.
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