Long Beach to host wounded veterans

The City of Long Beach will welcome about 30 veterans and their families this weekend for rest, relaxation and community-based activities.

The annual weeklong trip, sponsored by Long Beach Waterfront Warriors, an organization that supports ill or wounded veterans, begins with a 5k race at 8 a.m. Saturday.

John McLaughlin, co-founder of the organization, which began hosting trips three years ago, said the veterans will begin to arrive on Saturday and a few plan to participate in the race, which is open to anyone.

“It’s a nice kick-off to the week,” he said. “We get the festivities going on the day they arrive.”

On Sunday, the veterans will march in the Welcome Parade starting at Ohio Avenue at 3 p.m. and continuing along Beech Street to New York Avenue. A barbecue at Long Beach Catholic Regional School will take place afterward.

McLaughlin said veterans will be attending from as far away as Washington and Texas. A large group of veterans will also be coming directly from Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Their families are also invited to attend.

The rest of the week will consists of beach outings, fishing, surfing and a trip to New York City.

The race registration fee is $25 and participants can register between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. at Riverside Boulevard and the boardwalk on the day of the race or online at www.active.com. Registration is free for active military personnel.