Battleofthebadges.info

Battle of the Badges II will feature a special tribute to the Fallen as part of the ceremonies. In addition to the collective group of 343 New York City fire fighters officially lost on September 11, 2001 we will honor the three members of the FDNY boxing team who died that day specifically:

Peter Bielfeld from Ladder Co 42 in the Bronx, Peter was a light heavyweight boxer who was off duty when the WTC was attacked....he immediately responded to the firehouse closest to the WTC where he borrowed equipment and raced into the towers. He left behind his wallet and a note to his wife and children in the event he did not survive the rescue mission.

Vernon Cherry from Lad Co 118 in Brooklyn, Vernon was a heavyweight as well as an accomplished singer who sang the national anthem at many FDNY events. His Ladder Company was pictured going over the Brooklyn Bridge responding to the WTC, no members of the company survived the collapse.

Mike Esposito from Squad 1 in Manhattan Mike was a middleweight and as game as they come, he was an original member of the team and represented the FDNY vs. the NYPD in the first Battle of the Badges held in Madison Square Gaden. Mike's son Andrew is now a member of both the FDNY as well as the Bravest Boxing team.

Also, the FDNY Boxing Coach lost his nephew Richie Allen. Richie was a probationary firefighter in Engine 15 in Manhattan. he had six weeks on the job and was getting off duty when the alarm came in. He jumped on the rig as it left quarters responding to the WTC. All 15 members who responded were killed in the collapse.


CLICK HERE TO SEE THE MEMORIAL PAGE FOR THESE BRAVE HEROES



The ripple effects of September 11th affected so many lives and sent countless soldiers from across the world to Afghanistan and Iraq, the bulk of them from the United States. One such soldier was U.S. Army Captain Anthony Palermo. Captain Palermo was tragically killed along with Spc. Ryan S. Dallam and Pvt. Damian Lopez Rodriguez when their vehicle struck an IED in Baghdad on April 6, 2007. Palermo loved boxing, and he was on he Norwich University Boxing Club himself. Click on the image below to learn more about a memorial plaque drive initiated to honor Anthony. The plaque unveiling will take place at the Battle of the Badges II event.







Please contact Rich Bergeron at rich@unlimitedfightnews.com if you know of any New England Law Enforcement members you would like to be part of the tribute to the fallen, particularly if they had a direct connection to boxing.