Earlier this week, it was great to see National Association of Wastewater Transporters Inc. founding member Ralph Macchio in the audience of the hit ABC TV show, Dancing With the Stars, cheering on his son, actor Ralph Macchio, who is starring on the popular ballroom dance series. While the pumping industry’s Ralph Macchio Lifetime Achievement Award is named for the elder Macchio, the younger Macchio is competing for the DWTS Mirror Ball trophy.

Cameras panned the audience on Monday’s first night of DWTS competition to show parents Ralph and Rosalie Macchio – fixtures at the annual Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo International – looking on proudly as their son danced the foxtrot with his professional partner Karina Smirnoff. The pair won the first night’s competition, scoring 24 out of a possible 30 points.

The elder Ralph Macchio has been part of the liquid waste industry out of Long Island, N.Y., for nearly 50 years. The dance series continues to air on Mondays through the spring. To see the first episode, go to http://abc.go.com/watch/dancing-with-the-stars/SH559050/VD55118621/week-1-part-1.