On Friday, September 11th, McLean County Republicans marked the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with "Battle of the Badges," a police vs. firefighters baseball game held at Corn Crib Stadium in Normal. The evening opened at 6:30pm with a memorial ceremony honoring the bravery and sacrifice of first responders, before local police officers and firefighters took the field for a spirited game to close out the night.

The event drew a strong crowd, with Corn Crib Stadium reporting 1,023 tickets sold. The opening ceremony featured the American Legion Honor Guard and a military flyover from the Peoria Air National Guard, setting a fitting tone for an evening built around remembrance and community. Every attendee also received a program listing all of McLean County Republicans' candidates.

The night ended with a meaningful gesture: a $500 donation to a Veteran's Support Charity, presented in honor of the winning team, the police squad. Feedback from the evening was strongly positive. Both the police and fire teams said they would love to join again, and the Corn Belters organization shared the same enthusiasm. Channel 25 also covered the game, identifying McLean County Republicans as the title sponsor.

Under the leadership of Connie Beard, McLean County Republicans continue to bring the Bloomington/Normal community together around causes worth honoring, and "Battle of the Badges" struck exactly that chord.