Kids, grandkids of NYPD and FDNY heroes lost in line-of-duty throw first pitch at Mets game

Four children and grandchildren of heroes threw out the first pitch at Wednesday’s Mets game — a feat one described as a “once in a lifetime opportunity.”Hannah Cristiano, 7, Charli Scalf, 11 and siblings Jackson, 7, and Stella Abear, 5 — descendants of FDNY and NYPD members who laid out their lives for others — braved the rain and stormed the mound with Answer The Call associate committee members in celebration of the charity’s 40th anniversary“It was so exciting to throw out that ball.I really couldn’t sleep last night, I was so excited,” said Jackson Abear, who boasted he needed no practice to be the only one of the four to “throw it perfectly to my guy.”The opportunity was much more emotional for Catherine Abear, who lost her husband, NYPD Detective Raymond Abear, five years ago after he contracted COVID while visiting crime victims in hospitals during the early days of the pandemic.“It’s bittersweet.

It was really emotional and cool at the same time — Ray and I were both big Mets fans, so it’s quite cool to see them on the field.I’m raising them Mets fans!” said Abear, adding that she had to wipe away tears as she watched the pair relish in the moment.

The trio was among hundreds of other Answer The Call families who attended the foundation’s 40th anniversary of providing financial and community support to families whose loved ones gave their lives in service of the FDNY and NYPD.More than 1,200 were originally slated to attend the annual event before it was moved up several hours to account for the poor weather sweeping the Big Apple.But the rain couldn’t keep away Charli Scalf, who, along with her mother Taina, was honoring the memory of her father Detective Jeffrey Scalf.Like Abear, the 14-year NYPD veteran died from the “invisible bullet” of the coronavirus as he worked through the early and uncertain days of the pandemic.“It was really fun and exciting because I feel like it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportuni...