Township will hold breakfast to benefit wounded veteran BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer WOODBRIDGE - Township officials are holding a benefit breakfast for a 23- year-old U.S. Army infantryman from Port Reading who was injured by a concealed IED (improvised explosive device) in July. Sgt. Earl McCracken, who joined the Army in January 2003, was leading a platoon in an area of Iraq known as the Triangle of Death when he was injured by the IED on July 14. After numerous surgeries, McCracken is able to walk again, but will require extensive physical and occupational therapy. The breakfast to aid McCracken will be held 8-11 a.m. Oct. 14 at the Woodbridge Elks Club, 665 Rahway Ave. in Woodbridge. "Sgt. Earl McCracken is a brave young man who has made an incredible sacrifice for his country," said Mayor John E. McCormac. "We want to show him and his family that his dedication and service mean a lot to the people on whose behalf he fought." The mayor said 100 percent of the proceeds raised at the breakfast would go to McCracken. "He is an asset to our community and we want to do everything we can to help him come back stronger than ever," said McCormac. First Ward Councilman Charles Kenny and Third Ward Councilman Greg Bedard added their own sentiments. "Sgt. McCracken is a true leader," said Kenny, who spearheads the township's annual Support Our Troops rally at the end of May. "We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to him and his fellow soldiers." Bedard agreed and said it is very important that they take care of their own. "I hope people from all sections of Woodbridge come out to support Earl and all of our troops," he said. Tickets for the breakfast are $6 for adults and $3 for children. Children under 5 years old will be admitted free. For tickets, call the Woodbridge Township Recreation Department at (732) 596-4048.