West Essex Area Police and Fire Departments to Host Third Annual “Battle of the Badges” to Benefit US Marine Sgt. Aaron Alonso on Sunday, Sept. 28, Starting at 11am

by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com
Published 10:10am

VERONA, NJ - This Sunday, West Essex area police and fire departments will come together in an effort to raise funds and recognition for "Alonso Strong" an organization which emotionally and financially assists the family of disabled veteran Sgt. Aaron Alonso of the United States Marine Corps.  

What started eight years ago as a softball competition between the Cedar Grove Police Department and the Cedar Grove Fire Department has now grown to include the Caldwell, North Caldwell, Verona and West Caldwell police departments and
North Caldwell, Verona and West Caldwell fire departments as well.  

Sunday’s event takes place on Veteran’s Field, behind the Verona Community Center, located at 880 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona.

The event will begin with opening ceremonies at 11am and continue throughout the day with softball games, children’s activities, entertainment and refreshments. The public is welcome to attend and are asked to give a donation of their choosing. The food and activities will all be donated; 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit the Alonso Strong Project. 

Sgt. Aaron Alonso 
While fighting in Nad Ali, Afghanistan, on Feb. 8 of this year, US Marine Sgt. Aaron Alonso was on patrol when he stepped on an IED. Because of the explosion, Alonso was severely injured and ultimately had both of his legs amputated.

Alonso left for his overseas deployment only one week after his wife gave birth to their daughter, Riley. Over the past months, the Marine has undergone multiple surgeries. All funds raised at Sunday's tournament will all go towards expenses for him and his family. 

"Although undergoing one of the amputations and multiple procedures,
Aaron remained calm," a family spokesperson commented.
"He was more concerned with making the other Marines nearby laugh. 
Aaron Alonso is Marine with a large heart and great sense of humor.
He's always been one to be there for others and help in any way possible.  
The Alonsos have been through a great deal
and this fund is meant to help relieve some of their stress and worry."

Schedule of Events
Game times are approximate; the next one begins when the previous one is completed.
 

• 11am
  
  • Opening Ceremonies 
     
• 11:30am
  
  • Game 1
    Caldwell-West Caldwell Police Depts vs. West Caldwell Fire Department
     
• 12:30pm
  
  • Game 2
    North Caldwell Police Department vs. North Caldwell Fire Department
     
• 1:30pm
  
  • Game 3
    Cedar Grove Police Department vs Cedar Grove Fire Department
     
• 2:30pm
  
  • Game 4
    Verona Police Department vs Verona Fire Department
     
• 3:30pm
  
  • Game 5
    Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2
     
• 4:30pm
  
  • Game 6
    Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4
    
    
• 5:30pm
  
  • Championship Game
    Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 6 
    
    

Children’s Activities

• Bounce house
• Face painting

DJ Entertainment
Entertainment will be provided by Chris Segarra from “Legendary Entertainment.”

Donations
Anyone who is unable to attend but would like to make a donation to the Alonso Strong Project on behalf of the Battle of the Badges, may do so online here.

The team to beat this year is the North Caldwell Police Department, 2013 Champions. 

Credit: North Caldwell Police

“It was a great day and I’m proud of my team,"
North Caldwell Police Chief Mark Deuer,
who also pitched for his team, commented after the victory,
"It was all for a wonderful cause
and it was good to see how many people turned out
and were supportive."

Commemorative t-shirts, designed by Two Guys Tees, will be available for purchase. 

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