50 troops wounded in Iraq, Afghanistan gather in Concord firehouse

50 troops wounded in Iraq, Afghanistan gather in Concord firehouse

Vincent Barone

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Injured servicemen and women from the Walter Reed Medical Center came to Rescue Co. 5 and Engine 160's fire house today to kickoff this year's weekend stay at Breezy Point, Queens.

One hundred family members, firefighters and police officers came to welcome the troops, some of whom used wheelchairs, others with prosthetic arms or legs.

"All these guys at Rescue 5 and Engine 160 do a great job," said Acting Staten Island Borough Commander Michael Marrone. "We consider it an honor -- to show our appreciation to the troops."

Many of the troops came from all over the country and have never been to New York. At the fire house they were treated to Staten Island pizza and sandwich heroes, but most of all, to their loved ones' support.

After their luncheon at the firehouse, police vehicles and fire trucks escorted the troops on a parade down the Belt Parkway to Rockaway Beach, where they will spend a weekend with citizens of Breezy Point who have opened their homes to the troops.
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Concord firehouse