HOBOKEN, N.J. — Residents of a community ravaged by this week’s super storm had some unexpected guests landing in one of their parks today in Sea Dragon-style.
About 20 Marines and sailors left the amphibious assault ship WASP this morning and traveled to a city hit hard by Hurricane Sandy to help restore a ferry terminal that hasn’t been functional since the storm hit. The Marines were with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit out of Camp Lejeune, N.C., which deployed Thursday in support of disaster relief efforts.
After completing the work they needed to do in the harbor, the Marines and sailors awaited their transport back to the WASP in a nearby park where the heavy lift helos were set to land and pick them up. Hoboken residents riding their bikes and walking their dogs spotted the troops and stopped over to say thank you.
Many of the residents were unaware that the Marines and sailors had spent the morning repairing damage to the terminal they rely on for transport to and from New York City. They shook the Marines’ and sailors’ hands — some even requesting photos with the troops.
The crowd only got bigger when their Navy MH-53E Sea Dragon flew in against the New York City skyline to pick them up, landing in the very park they were standing. Not something this city along the Hudson River sees every day.
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