A weekend for the wounded

In September 2005, Army Sgt. Michael Carrasquillo was on an air assault mission in Afghanistan with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. He was attempting to pull an injured member of his unit to safety when he was hit with a barrage of bullets that penetrated his bicep, chest, shoulder, stomach and hand.

Carrasquillo survived, but spent the next two years in and out of Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., enduring more than 40 operations to repair his battered body. He was left with nerve damage in his left hand and arm, is missing part of a finger on his right hand and has no muscles in his right shoulder.

But on Monday, two years after he was medically discharged from the military, he let out a loud, jubilant cry as he surfed his first wave off the shore of Long Beach. After his short ride, which ended with a wipeout, Carrasquillo was beaming as he headed back out to catch the next wave.

"That was awesome," he said afterward. Still out of breath, he dried his face with a towel handed to him by his wife, Jenny. "It was intense."

A Pennsylvania resident, Carrasquillo, 25, was one of 16 injured soldiers and their families who headed to Long Beach from as far west as Sioux Falls, S.D., and as far south as Boone, La., for the first Waterfront Warriors event Aug. 30-Sept. 2. Their four days of rest and relaxation included a welcome parade in the West End, which was attended by thousands of neighbors, surfing, personal watercraft riding, a luau, fishing, bike riding and touring New York City.

The event, spearheaded by City Councilman John McLaughlin, is part of the Wounded Warriors Project, a national organization that provides services and assistance to severely injured veterans as they return to civilian life. McLaughlin first heard of the group last year after a visit to Rockaway Beach, which was hosting a similar event.

"It has been in the back of my mind to try to get something like this into Long Beach, and this year I just said to myself, 'Let's do it!'" said McLaughlin, who spent months organizing and holding various fundraisers for the project.

More than 200 volunteers opened their homes and volunteered their time for the event — including Kevin McCarthy and his wife, Judy, who acted as liaisons to the Carrasquillos. "This is a privilege for us," said Kevin, who noted that his responsibility was to make sure the couple was comfortable and that they had anything they needed.

Judy agreed, adding, "This is a great experience. Long Beach really came together."

Volunteers Fred and Jean Rondina opened their home to another couple, Heriberto and Deidre Vidro, their 14-year-old son, Heriberto, and his classmate Chelsea Roccaro. The Rondinas gave the Vidros, who live in New Jersey, a tour of Long Beach and accompanied them to the events around the city.

Asked about Waterfront Warriors, Jean Rondina was close to tears. "We don't know how to repay them for what they've done for us and the U.S.," she said of the veterans.

She added that she was proud to be part of a community that she said gave its all to the event. "Long Beach really has to be commended because everyone gave their heart and soul to make these soldiers feel welcomed," she said.

Despite his injuries, Carrasquillo has not slowed down. He continues to enjoy sports like scuba diving and skydiving. He has become active in the Wounded Warriors Project, attending many of the functions it sponsors.

"This was the first event that I've come to where you feel the whole community is behind it," he said. He was shocked, he said, by the outpouring of support, and even tears, during the welcoming parade. "It's really touching," he added.

Though he was born and raised in New York City, Carrasquillo had never been to Long Beach, but he said he plans to make another trip here from his new home in the Poconos.

Comments about this story? JKellard@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 213.