| Sheriff,
Fire Depts. Face Off |
By Anthony Paradise
Observer Staff Writer
|
| There is no debating how courageous the individuals who
work for Loudoun County's Sheriff Office or the fire and rescue
Department are. |
| But how they would do against each other on the football
field is another story. And one that will be told soon. |
| On July 16, Loudoun County sheriff's deputies will take
on members of Loudoun County Fire and Rescue in a flag football
game called "The Finest versus The Bravest." |
| The event, which begins at noon and has a kickoff slated
for 1:30 p.m., has tickets available for adults at the door
for a suggested donation price of $2. |
| All donations benefit Discovery Park, the new science playground
that is set to be built in the fall at Sully Elementary School
in Sterling. |
| Easton McDonald, a deputy specialist in the community policing
section for Loudoun, said his group went with Discovery Park
due to its concept. |
| "What they're doing is amazing," McDonald said. "I wondered
what the sheriff's office could do to help." |
| He also said it would be a good way for citizens to become
familiar with the sheriff's office. |
| "The main goal is to get the word out," McDonald said. "But
we want the public to know the police are there for you." |
| Lt. Sam Myers with Loudoun County Fire and Rescue said the
department wanted to do something to help the general public. |
| "We knew that it was something we could help people help
the children," he said. "We like to get into a public service
thing and we like to get our name out there, help, do whatever
we can." |
| Peter Kronenberg, the Discovery Park project coordinator,
said he hopes people are willing to help with piecing the
park together. |
| "We want to put the word out because we need to have volunteers,"
Kronenberg said. |
| He added that the park is close to obtaining the $130,00
it needed in funding. |
| "Now we need people to help us build the playground," he
said. |
| As for how the game is setup, McDonald said it will be seven-on-seven. |
| There will be two 20-minute halves, but no extra points
will be kicked. |
| The game is for charity, but there has been a little trash
talking. |
| "I think we have the upper hand," Myers said. "We work out
everyday, plus we work better than they do." |
| McDonald was not one to argue. |
| "To be quite honest, I'm concerned," McDonald said. "They're
always in shape and running. I hope they don't embarrass us." |
| During halftime there is a tug-of-war between Board of Supervisors
members Eugene Delgaudio, Stephen Snow, Bruce Tulloch and
Mick Staton, and school board members Robert DuPree, Thomas
Reed, Joseph Guzman, Warren Geurin and John Andrews. |
| McDonald said fire and rescue will have trucks to show off
before the game, while the sheriff's office is bringing motorcycles
and kids can have their fingerprints taken. |
| Call Kronenberg at 703-887-5623 or Valerie Petrey at 703-717-2399,
or visit www.sullypto.com. |
