A Warm Warriors Welcome
By Katie McFadden
What a weekend for our warriors! The Rockaway and Breezy Point communities turned out in force to show support for our veterans as Hope for the Warriors came into town on Thursday, July 11, for a weekend of fun on the water.
After a warm welcome with a parade through town, the 26 warriors and their families enjoyed a welcome dinner at the Rockaway Point Yacht Club on Thursday. They were then treated to two days of fun on the water on Friday and Saturday as locals stepped up to lend their boats for fishing trips, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding and AmpSurf helped the veterans ride the waves. They also got to enjoy a luau at the Rockaway Point Yacht Club, a dinner at The Harbor Light, a country concert at the Colony Theatre featuring Jake’s Rockin’ Country Band, water demonstations by the FDNY and NYPD, and the weekend ended with a farewell Mass at the Breezy Point 9/11 Memorial on Sunday morning, led by Father Michael Gelfant.
Firefighter Richie Cannon, one of Rockaway Warrior Weekend’s organizers was pleased with the outcome and grateful that the weather wasn’t as bad as forecasted. “The weekend was a huge success. The weather held out for us,” Cannon said. “From the hundreds, if not thousands, that lined the streets of Rockaway and Breezy, to all the volunteers, the veterans and their families were amazed with the turnout from the community and the generosity and patriotism shown. That’s what makes Rockaway and Breezy Point special and unique communities.”
Cannon had many to thank for making the weekend a success. “I want to thank the Breezy Point and Rockaway community, the Graybeards, Harbor Light, Bishops Barn, Pizza on the Point, Russo’s on the Bay, Divino’s Restaurant, AmpSurf, The FDNY Foundation, NYPD, the Gary Sinise Foundation and countless others,” he said. It was all done to thank those who bravely served our country. “We never forget their sacrifices,” Cannon said.
Photos by Tracey McElhinney, Jen Mollaghan, Megan Keiley, Adriana Farrell and Marilyn Harvey.
