Downbeach communities are gearing up to welcome the Longport American Legion's 13th annual Wounded Warrior Week recipient.
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Roger Hopkins and his family will roll into Ventnor's Ski Beach at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Hopkins and his wife, Betsy, and their two children, Curtis and Colby, along with Hopkins’ service dog, Hoku, will be honored with a weeklong all-expenses-paid vacation in the Longport.
The Legion coordinated with military authorities to select Hopkins based on his military service, injuries sustained in service to the United States and recovery.
The Hopkinses will travel from Fort Worth, Texas, and will be taken to a beach block home donated for the week by a Longport resident. The home will be stocked with food, drinks and everything needed for what the Legion hopes is their vacation of a lifetime at the Jersey shore.
They will be treated to dinners at local restaurants and trips to entertainment venues – all donated by area businesses.
But before they get to relax and have a great week in their "home away from home," the family will have a “surprise” hometown hero’s welcome parade through the Downbeach area.
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Roger Hopkins and his wife, Betsy.Thinking they will be going to a simple welcoming barbeque with a small group of Legion supporters, they will be picked up in Longport and be totally surprised when they arrive at Ski Beach to be greeted by throngs of supporters. They will then join a motorcade led by local police, American Legion Riders on their flag-waving Harley motorcycles, and followed by fire trucks from each Downbeach community.
The Legion is asking local residents to line the parade route – from Ski Beach on Dorset Avenue at the bay to Atlantic Avenue and south to Longport Borough Hall, starting at 5:30 p.m.
Since the Wounded Warrior Week started 13 years ago, crowds along the parade route have grown in number and residents and children have come out with large American flags, banners and handmade posters thanking the Wounded Warrior for his or her service.
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 or www.facebook.com/LongportBoroughHall
For any questions, contact American Legion Post Commander Larry Pacentrilli at Lapace@comcast.net
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Roger Hopkins.
