Parade on the Belt Parkway

firebuffkevin

firebuffkevin

Joined
Nov 27, 2008
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Was on the Belt this afternoon, stuck in traffic. I was travelling west toward the VNB. At Flatbush traffic slowed, big NYPD presence in median including Brooklyn Mobile Command.  Further down four NYPD vans with NYPD in dress uniform and white gloves. At Bay Parkway E242. Further down NYPD Emergency Services. Closer to the bridge E 243, L188, a TL and two other engines and a Battalion - could,not see number. Then eastbound a Parade - NYPD, then FDNY Mack E343, then a Ward LaFrance,  motorcycles galore, Rescue 5 etc. Then as I approached the VNB three fireboats with a water salute. I recognized Marine 9, and the Kevin Kane. What was going on that cost me an hour?
 
It was the Wounded Warriors Convoy, An FDNY led event to honor those severly injured in combat overseas. It was NYPD escorted topped off by a bunch of Firefighter-Bikers. The final destination was BreezyPoint Queens where there was a parade and a final tribute to the brave service men & women over dinner. Numerous FDNY units where there including Staten Island Engine 154 who went OOS for the event, Rescue 5 turned around once they hit Queens. The troops got to sit on the rigs as did there familys which was a really cool thing to see. The FDNY as did the NYPD did a great job saluting from the overpasses as well as the shoulders as we drove by, I was glad to be a part of it and look forward to it again next year, it was a great honor.
 
This is done every year and they always stop at E160/R5 where tables and chairs are set up. I live right around the corner so I usually get to see it close-up. This year they hung American flags over the parking lot, unfortunately the wife gave me a long "honey-do" list so I couldn't be there. :(  Here is the old Ward LaFrance when they stopped by last August:
 

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That same rig is where the soliders sat on for the ride out to Queens, and dam ya missed a nice party Rescue 5 threw ;D
 
There were 3 rigs that the wounded warriors sat in. It started of at E160/R5 as stated went on the belt parkway crossed the Marine Parkway bridge... From there we went down to Point Breeze, Brezzey Point etc...looped back up and ended up at the Belle Harbor Yachet Club with the NYPD helicoptor flying just above our heads the entire time...It was a great event and I hope that the wounded warroirs had a great time.
 
Great job by the FDNY and NYPD. G'man great jpob on the old WLF pic - E320 had a similar unit back in the 50's
 
kfd274 - glad to see the complaint about losing an hour changes to a salute - and Happy Birthday "oldest bro"
 
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