Gorgas Park Welcomed Wounded Veterans

Bruce Hoffman was standing by the grill and food station when he first heard the sirens of what he thought would be a bus escorted by a group of motorcycles and a police vehicle.

"They're coming," shouted Hoffman, a member of, and the crowd gathered at buzzed with excitement, brandishing American flags.

The police car was, in fact, not the escort of wounded veterans from the Coatesville Veterans Hospital—it was just on a call. Even after Hoffman called false alarm, the crowd was still buzzing with anticipation of welcoming and honoring the veterans for the third annual Veterans Picnic.

Several organizations were in attendance at the event, including the , and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

"We're here to do whatever they need done," said Arlene Hackman, a member of DAR and volunteer at the event. "Anything we can do to help."

Hackman recalls how the nation treated its veterans during her era, the Vietnam War. 

"I hope we're doing a whole lot better than we did then," she said. "But, I think we can always do better."

Soon, the sirens sounded again, and the crowd gathered around the path through the park to help welcome the veterans. A group of motorcyclists, known as the Warriors' Watch Riders, escorted the bus from Coatesville all the way to Gorgas Park. The riders, most of whom were veterans themselves, parked their bikes an welcomed the wounded vets with the rest of the crowd. The veterans were seated at tables next to the gazebo, which featured the Merion Concert Band playing various military songs. 

Mansoor A. Shabozz, a 62-year-old Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War, was amazed at the setup of the picnic. 

"I had no idea what to expect," he said. "As I'm a Vietnam Vet it was a completely different atmosphere when I got back."

Shabozz expressed his gratitude toward those involved, and was thoroughly impressed at the activities that took place. 

"I brought my CD player," he said, grinning. "I don't think I'm going to need it."