Pride and patriotism

For U.S. Marine Cpl. Chris Bowers, 25, the support from the Long Beach community was palpable. As the rain began to intensify midway through the Waterfront Warriors' welcome parade for wounded veterans and their families last Sunday, Bowers said that the hundreds of residents who continued to cheer and wave American flags left an indelible impression.

"It's very humbling," said Bowers, who was injured fighting in western Iraq two years ago, and as a result, lost part of his left leg in April. He is continuing his treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, and said the trip to Long Beach with his wife, Ashley, was both exciting and encouraging.

"When you see a whole community standing out in the rain -- a community of people reaching out to say we're opening our city to you -- it means a lot," he said. "I feel lucky to be a part of it."

Bowers was one of 30 veterans from different branches of the armed services who were honored by the Long Beach Waterfront Warriors, a group of volunteers dedicated to supporting wounded and injured soldiers and their families. The non-profit organization was formed in 2009 to provide veterans and their families relaxing vacations in Long Beach.

This is the second year that the organization has hosted the soldiers. Their stay kicked off with a 5K race, followed by the welcome parade, beginning on Ohio Avenue and winding east down Beech Street. The parade included members of the FNDY Fire Riders, the Long Beach Fire Department, the city's veterans organizations and the Sword of Light bagpipe group.

The parade, event organizers said, is a way to not only thank the servicemen and women, but to make them feel welcome. "It's a huge amount of people -- the town has been just amazing," said City Councilman and Waterfront Warrior executive committee member John McLaughlin. "The soldiers and their families have been amazed. Sometimes they don't think people are concerned about them, but here they see it up close and personal that we do care."

McLaughlin and others said that local residents are hosting some of the veterans and more than 100 family members in their homes, while the Allegria Hotel offered rooms to nine veterans and their families.

The parade kicked off a weeklong series of activities for the families: beach events, surfing lessons, boat rides, barbecues, a trip to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and more. In the months leading up to the event, Waterfront Warriors hosted fundraisers and other initiatives to support their cause.

"It's the least we can do for them -- they're making the ultimate sacrifice for us," said event coordinator James Lynch. "It means so much to these soldiers, many of whom have gone through extensive surgeries."

Army National Guard Master Sgt. Bob Sutherland, of Massachusetts, said the trip to Long Beach is a chance to unwind. During a barbecue for the soldiers at Long Beach Catholic School after the parade, Sutherland said he planned to spend Monday at the beach with his wife, Kathy and relatives.

"The important thing about this is that you're not forced to do anything -- you can relax, it's therapeutic," said Sutherland, who sustained head injuries in an attack by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan. "I'm a lot more fortunate than a lot of these guys, but this is what we do. We do it for our country. All of these kids waving the U.S. flag during the parade means a lot to us. Plus, I never knew that New York had a beautiful beach like this."

Residents said that the event was a chance to give back. "It makes me proud of my community," said Maureen Daly, who stood in the rain and cheered the parade. "We wanted to clap instead of holding our umbrellas. My father is a World War II veteran, and it's special to my heart."

It was that sense of patriotism that meant the most to U.S. Army Master Sgt. Brian Holloway. "People really have a deep sense of patriotism in this town," said Holloway, of Shelby Township, Mich., who was excited to see New York City and pay his respects at ground zero with his wife, Lita, and daughter, Christine. The trip to Long Beach was a reunion of sorts with them, he said, since he has been treated at Walter Reed for 23 months.

"It was nice to bring the family together," Holloway said. "I get to be with my family here. That's what it's all about."

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