King Purchases 500 tickets for NYC Firefighters, Policeman & Rescue Workers

Press release: Riding high on the accolades she received after a stunning rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner during Felix “Tito” Trinidad’s comeback fight at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 2, Lance Cpl. Elizabeth Quinones, United State Marine Corps, has been invited again by promoter Don King to sing the national anthem at his blockbuster heavyweight card Saturday night at the Garden.

King also announced that he will broadcast Quinones singing the American anthem live on his international broadcast of the event on Kingvision, and, through special arrangement with HBO Pay-Per-View, Quinones will also be featured live on the domestic telecast.

King, as is his custom, also said that Saturday’s matches, and Quinones singing, will be available free of charge to American Forces Networks, so that the men and women who serve in the American armed services around the world will be able to see the event.

“These young men and women are the vanguard of our nation,” King said, “and it’s the least I can do to have one of their own singing the national anthem and to provide the event to our soldiers serving outside America for free.”

Quinones, whose musical accomplishments include singing in a gospel choir backing Mariah Carey and a four-month backing-vocalist stint with Christina Aguilara where she appeared on numerous television shows when “Genie in a Bottle” was a big hit, will sing the Star-Spangled Banner for reasons that have nothing to do with her professional singing career.

“You would not believe how many phone calls and e-mails I received from Marines and other members of our armed services after the Trinidad fight,” Quinones, 33, said.  “When fellow soldiers told me that my performance motivated them and helped improve morale among those stationed around the world, I was moved.

“I give special thanks to Don King for letting me sing and for giving the telecast away for free on AFN.”

Quinones provided Don King Productions with samples of the hundreds of e-mails she received after singing the anthem at Trinidad vs. Mayorga on Oct. 2:

“Are you the Marine who sang the national anthem at the Trindad/Mayorga fight?  If you are, I have a compliment to pay you.  You did a fantastic job and received a lot of praise from a tough audience, infantry Marines.

“You had us on our feet and highly motivated.  Our Battalion is on its second combat tour in Iraq.  We have lost some friends and had many wounded.  The National anthem has a very special meaning to us.

We appreciate someone who can perform it as well as you did.  You made us proud and represented the Marine Corps well.  You are truly gifted.”
- 1st Sgt. J.G. Morales, Company B, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, United States Marine Corps.

King also continues his longtime support of the fine men and women of New York City public safety including policeman, firefighters and rescue workers. 

He purchased 250 tickets for firefighters distributed to Engine 1, Ladder 24 in mid-town; Engine 54, Ladder 4 near Times Square; Engine 59, Ladder 30 in Harlem; and Hook and Ladder Company 4 in Brooklyn.

He also purchased 250 tickets for policeman and rescue workers that are being distributed by the Sergeants Benevolent Association in New York.

“Everyone should pay tribute to these unsung heroes including the fallen but not forgotten,” King said.  “We will never forget.”