Downbeach residents are being asked to come out Tuesday evening to cheer on a Navy SEAL as he and his family make their way to a vacation in Longport.
This will be the Longport American Legion Post #469's eighth Wounded Warrior Week.
They will be honoring Joseph Hahn, whose awards include the Purple Heart, Joint Meritorious Service Medal, three time Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ Combat V, and two times each for Combat Action, Presidential Unit Commendation and Joint Unit Commendation.
Hahn was attending Texas A&M University pursuing a biomedical science degree when the Sept. 11, attacks occurred.
He enlisted in the Navy and spent the next 13 years as a SEAL.
Hahn deployed multiple times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and did three tours in Afghanistan.
During his service, Special Operator First Class Hahn had both legs shattered on separate occasions.
Each time, he rejoined his unit after undergoing surgery and rehabilitation.
Those injuries along with numerous traumatic brain injuries from nearby explosions eventually led to his medical retirement.
Hahn, along with his wife, Morgan, and their four sons — Hunter, 12; Blake, 5; Clayton, 3, and Gunner, 18 months — are set to arrive in Philadelphia on Tuesday.
The Legion is expecting to start the parade motorcade from Ventnor Plaza in Ventnor Heights at about 5:30 p.m. The plan is to travel up Dorset Avenue to Atlantic Avenue, and then to Longport, where the family is being put up in a beach block house.
The Legion along with Ventnor, Margate and Longport police are encouraging residents to come out along the parade route to cheer for Hahn.
Signs and American flags are suggested.
