Exclusive | Kids whose loved ones died in line of duty to throw first pitch at Citi Field for Answer the Call game

Dozens of orphaned children and grandchildren who lost their loved ones in the line of duty will throw the first pitch at Citi Field Wednesday ahead of the Mets game against the Chicago White Sox.Among those with the ceremonial honor for Answer the Call’s 40th anniversary are Jackson and Stella Abear, who just five years ago lost their father to COVID, a disease he contracted while serving as an NYPD officer visiting crime victims in hospitals during the early days of the pandemic.The kids were just 2 years old and 4 months at the time of the tragedy — and they mostly remember Detective Raymond Abear through the stories their loved ones share of his heroism and bravery while the rest of the city was gripped with fear.“I feel especially happy that they haven’t forgotten about our family and that they’re still including my children and Ray, even five years later, to do something this monumental that they will remember forever,” mom Catherine Abear told The Post ahead of the festivities.More than 1,200 Answer The Call families are expected to attend Wednesday’s Game & Family Day, the annual flagship fundraising event for the first responder charity.It’s a bittersweet day for loved ones left behind, Abear explained — every year, she has watched in awe as Jackson and Stella reunite with other children who also lost their loved ones in the line of duty.“They just have an instant bond and connection because they know there are families like us,” Abear said.“My son is 7-years old now so he understands that these are families just like us, who lost someone that they love very much.

And he doesn’t feel so out of place the way he may sometimes at school.“It’s just the kind of place you like to be because you never have to explain yourself,” she went on.“You just fit right in with everyone.

And it’s kind of like how firemen and police officers have this very special bonding camaraderie with each other.The line of duty families have bui...