THE SENTINEL: Soccer Match at Giants Stadium to Honor Detective DiNardo and Benefit Scholarship Fund

A Part Of America Died

Somebody killed a policeman today
And a part of America died...
A piece of our country he swore to protect
Will be buried with him at his side.
The beat that he walked was a battlefield, too,
Just as if he had gone off to war;
Though the flag of our nation won't fly at half-mast
To his name they will add a gold star.
The suspect that shot him will stand up in court
With counsel demanding his rights,
While a young widowed mother must work for her kids
And spend many long, lonely nights.
Yes, somebody killed a policeman today...
Maybe in your town or mine,
While we slept in comfort behind our locked doors
A cop put his life on the line.
Now his ghost walks the beat on a dark city street,
And he stands at each new rookie's side;
He answered the call... of himself gave his all,
And a part of America died...
--Author Unknown--

On Friday September 18, 2009, police, fire, and corrections officers as well as citizens from throughout Hudson County will gather at Giants Stadium for an event to honor fallen police officer Detective Marc DiNardo and to raise money for a scholarship fund for his three young children: Gwendolyn, age 4; Marc Anthony II, age 3; and one-year-old Ella.

This initiative represents the true spirit of community: compassion through action. It is America at its best—collaboration which transforms tragedy into concern for one's neighbor.

Reprinted from www.nj.com
Soccer Match will benefit DiNardo family
by Melinda Vickerman
September 3, 2009

www.nj.com

For the past four weekends, they've come out and practiced under the hot morning sun and the summer evening's fading light. On soccer fields from Jersey City to Hoboken, they've play hard and to win, preparing for the day when they'll meet on the pitch at Giants Stadium. They've taken their days off and pounded the pavement, selling tickets, seeking sponsors and spreading the word about a fallen Hudson County hero.

On Sept. 18, more than 100 soccer players representing eight teams comprised of Hudson County law enforcement, fire departments and corrections units will gather to play four simultaneous soccer matches on the Giants Stadium field to help bolster the PBA scholarship fund for the three children of Jersey City Police Detective Marc DiNardo, who died from his wounds after a shooting that also injured four other officers in July.

It was shortly after DiNardo's funeral that my husband, Alex, head coach of the Soccer Learning Center in Jersey City, came up with the idea for the DiNardo Family Cup. Alex was just 10 when his father died after a long battle with cancer and he remembers watching his mother struggle to raise seven children on her own.

"My mother worked day and night to take care of us," he said, thinking now of DiNardo's widow and their three young children. "I know how difficult it will be for Mary DiNardo and I wanted to help in some way."

Word of the event spread quickly and soon Alex had commitments from the Jersey City and Hoboken Fire and Police Departments. The Hudson County Sheriff's Department, Hudson County Corrections, the Port Authority Police, New Jersey State Troopers and the Kearny Fire and Police Departments would play, too.

I would like to offer a special thank you to all those who are involved in organizing or participating in this event.

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