City Officials, Neighborhood Honor World War II Vet on His 100th Birthday

On Sunday the City of Boston officials and neighbors honored East Boston resident and World War II veteran Salvatore Murano with a special parade past his Leyden Street home for his 100th birthday.

Mr. Murano, a lifelong Eastie resident who served as a rifleman in the U.S. Army in Italy from 1944 to 1945, sat outside his Orient Heights home and watched as the parade of patriotically donated vehicles, police cruises and fire engines from the local fire station drove by to salute him on his birthday.

City of Boston’s Veterans Affairs Commissioner Robert Santiago presents East Boston resident and World War II veteran Salvatore Murano with a special citation on his 100th birthday during a parade past his Leyden Street home Sunday.

“We need to celebrate, honor, and recognize all our WWII Veterans,” said the City of Boston’s Veterans Affairs Commissioner Robert Santiago. “As a Veteran myself, it’s always an honor to help celebrate the WWII Veterans who sacrificed so much to save the world.  These celebrations never get old.  It’s inspiring to meet people like Sal Murano, who returned home and continued to serve his community.  His work with the Disabled American Veterans touched many lives, and the great turnout here today is a testament to the impact he’s had on his community.”

During the parade Santiago and other officials stopped to present Mr. Murano with citations from the city.

“He really was excited,” said his daughter Elaine Murano. “It was outstanding and more than we could have ever expected. Everyone did a great job helping my sister Diane set it up. They really went above and beyond the call of duty. It was great.”

Murano was born and raised in Eastie and worked for many years for Logan Instruments with the Gambale Family–a business that began in Eastie on Maverick Street and later moved to Everett.

“He retired just five years ago,” said Elaine. “He was only working two days a week and no longer working the machines, but he’d go down there and order the equipment to make the surgical tools (they distribute). It was good to get him out of the house a few days a week.”

Mr. Murano was involved with the Disabled American Veterans after the war.  He served as the Treasurer of his DAV Chapter, was the Columbus Day Parade Veteran of the Year in 1992, and was Chief Marshal of the Columbus Day Parade in 2012.

“I was so happy to be able to take part in Salvatore’s Birthday parade,” said neighbor Kelly McGrath. “So amazing to see the turnout. God Bless Salvatore and we are all forever grateful for his service.”

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