Young Racquet Club Residents Honored for Extreme Heroism

Nearly a week after the tragic fire that tore through Racquet Club Apartments B building, countless emergency vehicles sounded their sirens and made their way through the parking lot on Wednesday night. This time, rather than fighting a blaze, personnel gathered to honor eight local heroes.

The eight young boys held back fear and worry last Friday night as they raced towards the burning building, alerting B building residents of the threatening blaze.

Wednesday’s event, which brought out the support of numerous fire departments, motorcycle clubs and car clubs was organized by Jacqueline Redner who had read about the boy’s bravery in an article originally published on LevittownNow.com.

Read the original article: Young Boy Springs Into Action, Saves Residents in Racquet Club Blaze

“I got together with the (members of the motorcycle clubs) and we all thought – what can we do to show our appreciation,” she said in an exclusive interview Sunday night. “I mean the boy is a hero.”

Redner along with fellow organizer Joe Hanak, as well as Kenny ‘Maverick’ Bowman (Fire & Iron Station 139 Motorcycle Club/William Penn Fire Company), Chris Hathaway (Red Knights PA 6/Third District Volunteer Fire Company) and George Redner (Knights of the Inferno Bucks County/Tullytown Fire Company) made it their mission to go above and beyond to celebrate the boys heroism. They did so by organizing a ride which began at Fraternal Order of Eagles at 920 Trenton Road and ended at the home of Ilijah Rodriguez, one of the young heroes.

Read the original article: Local Motorcyclists, Firefighters Set to Honor Boy Who Saved Racquet Club Residents

As hundreds of supporters gathered at F.O.E. Wednesday night, Bowman had a special message for the crowd. “We thought this up and organized this really quick and I am overwhelmed by everyone here,” he said. “Immediately we all thought, what can we do to help, and look around, this is what a community can do.”

“Heroes come in all shapes and sizes and this time heroes happened to come in the form of twelve-year-old boys,” added Redner.

Iris Rodriguez, mother, stood by her apartment at the corner of A building and watched as all the emergency personnel vehicles pulled in, followed by hundreds of motorcycles and then followed by a slew of classic cars. The proud mom couldn’t help but capture the moments – moments of her son being presented as a hero. “Wow you weren’t kidding!” she said.

The eight boys were invited to stand on top of a fire truck parked in the parking lot as a crowd of hundreds shouted and cheered for them. They then were presented with certificates of heroism, gift bags and were made members of all three fire department motorcycle clubs. Rodriguez, was even awarded a bicycle, which had been donated to him, in honor of the good work he did.

The Iron Rebels, a Philadelphia based car club, presented the group of boys with $25 Game Stop gift cards, Iron Rebels t-shirts and an offer to ride around the block in one of their dozens of hot rods. The boys were also made honorary members of the club. “This is what we are all about, supporting kids, supporting whoever,” said Iron Rebels member, Joe Lisojo.

Click here for full coverage of the fire

The crowd filled with family and friends of the heroes, Racquet Club residents and local spectators, could not help but shout and cheer continuously for the boys.

“There is not saying how many lives you all helped save, you did a good thing,” a Middletown Township firefighter said. “We really appreciate that you did what you did and helped evacuate the building before we even arrived.”

The entire event was positive and embracing on the young boys, who received hugs and handshakes non stop as they made their way through the crowd.

“I was excited for this, of course I was nervous ya know, but excited,” said Rodriguez, mother of Ilijah. “It all was definitely amazing. I just hope all the boys understand the importance of all this. They need to be exposed to positive stuff.”

After speaking with various members throughout the community, the boys spent much of the evening hopping in and out of hot rods owned by the Iron Rebels. The boys with smiles on their faces, cheered and waved to their family and friends as they were driven around the block. “I feel pretty good, all of this really surprised me, but I feel like a hero,” said young Rodriguez. “My friends helped me that night so they should feel like heroes too.”

The boys will be honored again during the Middletown Township Supervisors Meeting, which will be held on August 19 at the municipal center located at 3 Municipal Way in Langhorne.

Below video by Ron Roberts.

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