Wounded Warrior Week-2024:  Motorcade Parade

American Legion Post 469, headquartered in Longport, is preparing for its 13th annual  Wounded Warrior Week (WWW).  Each September the Legion Post coordinates with military authorities to identify a Wounded Warrior who will be the honored guest for a one-week all-expense-paid vacation.  The special Week will include a welcoming parade, events and activities designed to make for an unforgettable experience for our Wounded Warrior. 

This year, the Legion will be sponsoring U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant (MSgt) Roger Hopkins, his wife, Betsy, their two adult children, Curtis and Colby, and Roger’s service dog, Hoku. They will be arriving at their vacation home at the Jersey shore on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 24th and departing for their home in Ft. Worth, Texas on October 1st.  The American Legion is counting on the support of local residents, businesses and veterans organizations for “mission success.”

MOTORCADE//PARADE:  To get the week off to a great start for our special guests, the Legion is asking for as many local residents as possible to come out along the parade route at 5:30 PM on September 24th to welcome our Wounded Warrior and his family.   This event will come as a complete surprise to our guests.  They will be picked up from their vacation home, thinking they’re simply going to a welcoming BBQ with a small number of local folks.  In reality, MSgt Hopkins and his family will be taken to Ski Beach in Ventnor and placed in a large, beautiful, red convertible.  They will depart Ski Beach at 5:30 PM and travel slowly through the Downbeach towns of Ventnor, Margate and Longport as part of a motorcade that will be led by Police vehicles from local communities and many American Legion Riders on their flag-waving Harley motorcycles.  Fire engines from Downbeach communities will also participate with lights flashing and sirens blaring.    
Folks from local communities have come out in droves to welcome our previous Wounded Warriors, and the Legion is counting on another great response this September 24th.  The motorcade will head down Dorset Ave to Atlantic Avenue, and then along Atlantic Ave to Longport.  Everyone who would like to show support for our troops by welcoming our Wounded Warrior should plan to be anywhere along the route by 5:30 PM.  Signs, banners and flags would be a huge plus.   Please check one of the following information sources for any last minute updates on the parade, especially if the weather does not cooperate.

http://www.longportnj.gov

www.facebook.com/LongportBoroughHall    

For any questions, contact American Legion Post Commander, Larry Pacentrilli, by email:  Lapace@comcast.net