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Blue Horizon honors Gennaro Pellegrini, Jr.
10/09/2005
Friday night at the Blue Horizon, the memory of Gennaro Pellegrini, Jr. was honored at the boxing show. Pellegrini, a Philadelphia policeman, joined the National Guard in 1998 under a six-year commitment. Although there is not supposed to be a draft in the United States, Pellegrini was a victim of President George Bush's "backdoor draft" which forced him to stay in the National Guard an additional 18 months beyond his agreement. Before he was shipped off to Iraq, however, matchmaker Don Elbaum and Blue Horizon owner Veronica Michael allowed Pellegrini to fulfill his dream of boxing professionally. Pellegrini made the most of what would be his only chance, scoring a fourth round knockout in his hometown's most famous boxing venue in May 2004. Last month, Pellegrini was in a vehicle that ran over a bomb. He was then attacked and killed. He is one of about 1900 Americans who have died in Iraq, most of them perishing after Bush celebrated by appearing in front of a "mission accomplished" sign. Pellegrini departs this world as an undefeated professional boxer (1-0) and the word hero forever associated with his memory. -Scott Shaffer
