By Alesha Hanson North Salem Daily Voice
The Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund 30th Annual Game and Family Day was held at Citi Field.Photo Credit: Mary Munshower
NORTH SALEM, N.Y. — A North Salem teen-ager [sic], whose firefighter father was killed in the attack on the World Trade Center, was among those who threw out the first pitch at a recent New York Mets game.
The event was the Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund [sic – New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund] 30th Annual Game and Family Day at Citi Field on Wednesday, June 25, and Mayor Bill de Blasio officially declared “Answer the Call Day” throughout New York City.
Declan Halloran, age 15, son of New York Fire Department Lt. Vincent Halloran, of North Salem, N.Y. threw out a first pitch. Declan was just 2-years-old when his dad lost his life in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. He has four older brothers and one younger sister who was born months after her dad was killed.
Declan practiced by playing catch with his big brothers.
This annual tradition was started by Benefit Fund founder and former Mets player Rusty Staub. The evening is dedicated to honoring the spouses and children of fallen first responders, joined by supporters and Benefit Fund Board members, who participated in a meet and greet with current and former Mets players.
The event was highlighted by the throwing out of the first pitch on the field by children of New York City first responders who died in the line of duty.
The New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund provides assistance to the families of New York City Police Officers, Fire Fighters, Port Authority Police and EMS Personnel who have been killed in the line of duty.
For more information, visit www.answerthecall.org.
