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by KHURRAM SAEED
A charity football game between New York City firefighters and police officers Saturday at West Point will benefit spouses and children of U.S. soldiers killed or seriously injured in Iraq.
The departments have traditionally donated money raised from the Fun City Bowl to the families of police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.
New York Police Sgt. John Muldoon, who is a Pearl River resident and the team's co-captain, said players from both teams wanted to do something for those who gave their lives for the nation while serving overseas.
It is only fitting that the game was scheduled on Armed Forces Day, said Muldoon, 33, who has been on the team for 13 years.
Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Michie Stadium at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Muldoon said families of soldiers killed in action often find they need financial assistance to help pay their mortgages, bills and other expenses.
"I don't think they get that much as compared to a cop's or a fireman's family," Muldoon said.
Family members of soldiers are entitled to a $6,000 death gratuity, according to The Army Times. The Defense Department also pays loved ones several thousands of dollars for preparation of the remains, a casket and burial.
All of the game's proceeds will go to the Fallen Patriot Fund, which was established by the Mark Cuban Foundation in April 2003. The fund has awarded more than $635,000 in grants to 32 families since then. Cuban, the owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, will match up to $1 million in total donations made to the fund.
"We're trying to give back for all they've done for us and everyone else in this country," said New York City firefighter Ed Coyle, who lives in Pearl River.
The game is expected to raise upward of $50,000, with $25,000 alone coming from ticket sales by NYPD team members and staff.
Also playing on the police team is NYPD Deputy Commissioner Gary McCarthy of West Nyack.
This is the 32nd year the Bravest and the Finest will play each other in the Fun City Bowl, but it's the first time at West Point.
Coyle said he was excited about stepping on the same field that was made famous by Army football legends like Felix "Doc" Blanchard, Glenn Davis and 1958 Heismann Trophy winner Pete Dawkins.
"West Point is West Point. This one is special. It's quite an honor to play where so many great heroes have played," said Coyle, who has been on the team for 10 years.
Nearly 12,500 people attended the game two years ago, in the first match after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. That game, played in Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., paid tribute to the first responders, and especially to the 343 city firefighters and 23 New York City police officers, who lost their lives on Sept. 11.
The fire department defeated the police department last year, 35-7, marking the FDNY's first victory over the NYPD in 10 years.
The FDNY team went on to capture the National Public Safety Football League championship. Its 15 teams represent firefighters, police and emergency service officers from around the country.
Information
Who: New York City police and fire departments
What: Fun City Bowl
Where: Michie Stadium, West Point
When: 5 p.m., Saturday
Why: To raise money for families of U.S. soldiers killed or injured in Iraq.
Cost: Tickets are $10. They are available through the FDNY's Web site and will be sold at the stadium's box office on game day.
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