Remembering and Rockin at Dublin Pub

Service members and community members rocked out at the Rockin For Our Warriors benefit on Friday night at the organized by Jim Bevers, Dr. Robert Goebel and the pub to support the Wounded Warrior project.

The range of music for the evening went from Taps to Takin Care of Business. In addition to the Wounded Warriors Project Band, which played non-stop throughout the night, there was also a pseudo-reunion for the Maria Regina class of 1971 who set up camp among people in the packed pub.

"One of our classmates, Bob Goebel put this together," said Debbie Donovan of Albertson who is a Maria Regina 1971 alum. "There is no greater thing we can do than to honor and support our men and women in uniform. Plain and simple."

Ray Camacho, a U.S. Army Specialist from Richmond Hill, Queens, returned from a
one-year tour of duty in Irag on March 1 and attended the benefit at Dublin Pub.

"I got back with injuries received in theater and the reason why it's important to be here is that even though my injuries may not be that serious, there are many others with much more serious injuries and they still need our help," Camacho said.

Camacho cited the homecoming experiences of those who served in Vietnam as
motivation for treating those who serve much better.

Vincent DeMartino of Floral Park is a U.S. Army Master Sargeant who served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. As he gazed over the crowd on the dance floor and the band, DeMartino noted that this evening brought back several good and bad memories of his service, although many of those resurfacing Friday night were good memories.

There were many members of the community who did not serve their country but came to Dublin Pub to remember others' service.

"I am here to support all of our service men and women, especially my father, Don, and my brother, Eddie, who served two tours in the Iraq war and my very good friend Doug Bresoni, who recently came back from serving in Afghanistan," Jenn Einhorn of Hicksville said. "I am proud to know them and I am proud of all the servicemen and women who protect us here on U.S. soil everyday."

Tom Rumore of Albertson summed his feelings up by saying the following, "It's very emotional to be with my fellow comrades (who were), on the battlefield."

Both Bevers and Goebel felt the night was successful on many levels.

The members of the bands practiced twice a week for two to three months beforehand and they played continuously throughout the night.

"We have warriors protecting us and they put their lives on the line," Goebel said.  "Why shouldn't we play for six hours?"