‘Once a Hornet, always a Hornet’

The Green Hornets Youth Football Organization celebrated the start of its 65th season at its homecoming event at Firemen’s Field on Oct. 11, paying special tribute to a former member who died too young.

Bryan “Bo” Fischer, a longtime Valley Stream resident and Green Hornets member, died of a heart attack in May. He was 32.

Fischer’s father and three brothers were invited to the podium during the ceremony. Fischer’s father, Gary, one of the organization’s past presidents, was presented with a framed jersey bearing the number 54, which his son wore as a player. A jersey was also presented to each of Fischer’s brothers, Gary, Rich and Steve, who all played for the Green Hornets as well. The number was retired in memory of Fischer.

To a standing ovation from several hundred spectators, President Bobby Hawkey led the family across the field to the scoreboard, which had Fischer’s jersey permanently affixed to it. The Green Hornets cheerleaders performed a dance routine and finished with a song in Fischer’s honor.

Football games were played throughout the day and the cheerleaders held a bake sale.. Tribute T-shirts designed by Fischer’s brother Rich sold for $15. They sold out, turning the large crowd into a “sea of green,” according to Event Coordinator Sharon Daly. She said that requests for more shirts continued to come in days after the event.

Several elected officials attended, including Mayor Ed Fare, Village Justice Robert Bogle and District Court Judge James Darcy, a Green Hornets alumni. Each addressed Fischer’s family.

“Once a Hornet, always a Hornet,” Daly said.