Legends in Valor
An Act of Heroism is Such a Fleeting Thing
Legends in Valor’s vision is to ensure that all generations understand that simple selfless acts create true heroes. Legends in Valor believes that it is our purpose to ensure that the sacrifices of everyday heroes are never forgotten and that future generations learn from these selfless actions and carry on the spirit of those everyday heroes that we have lost through their actions everyday. Legends in Valor is a not for profit, recognized 501C charity- Raised in Rockaway as one of 7 children
- Married Rita Kroll, his high school sweetheart in 1967. They have 7 children and 21 grandchildren. All of the Mullen children are college graduates and two have remained in Rockaway to raise their own families.
- Joined the NYPD in 1966 where he received several commendations in his 2 short years on the force including the Thomas J. Mackell Award for Outstanding Heroism.
- Joined the FDNY in 1968. Initially assigned to Ladder 120 in Brownsville “the busiest house in the world” Mullen moved on to the elite Rescue 1 in Manhattan and then to Ladder 137 in Rockaway, NY.
- During his 18 years at Ladder 120 and Rescue 1, Mullen received several commendations and medals.
- Served on the St. Francis de Sales Parish Council for 8 years
- Worked with the St. Francis de Sales CYO for 2 decades.
- Took over the reigns of the “Great Rockaway Picnic”.
- Envisioned the St. Francis de Sales Summer Classic and made it a reality. Served as the Commissioner of the league for 13 years. The St. Francis de Sales Summer Classic is still in existence today. At its height the classic had over 1,000 participants from all 5 boroughs and was the only NCAA sanctioned league
- Volunteer at the Adaptive Sport Program at Windham Mountain in Windham, NY for 30 years. Teaches adults and children with various physical and cognitive disabilities to ski.
- Brought the Rockaway Special Athletes to Windham for a weekend of skiing and snow tubing for the past 18 years.
- Along with is wife Rita, hosts a Rockaway Special Athletes fundraiser each summer which serves as the main source of revenue for the organization.
- Worked with wounded veterans in Breckenridge Colorado and was inspired to organize a winter sports weekend at Windham Mountain with the assistance of the FDNY, Adaptive Sports Foundation and Disabled Sports USA.
- Since the first weekend at Windham, Flip has organized similar weekends in various parts of the country including Telluride, Colorado.
- Raised $25,000 for the San Diego Firefighters who lost their homes while fighting the wild fires in 2004.
- With the help and support of the Rockaway community raised $40,000 and a 40 foot trailer filled with clothing and supplies for the victims of Hurricane Katrina in an area of the gulf coast community similar to Rockaway.
- Drove through the night to Mississippi where they assisted the St. Thomas Parish in Long Beach, Mississippi to create a school in a roller rink in order to get the community back on its feet.
- Approached by the professionals at Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital to create a summer sport festival following the success of the winter sports festival in Windham, NY.
- Organized 9 highly successful and nationally publicized adaptive summer sport festivals for the Wounded Warriors Project with participants from Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Brooke Army Medical Center that brought 50 wounded veterans to Rockaway for a four day summer sports festival.
- Recognized locally as a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award from the Rockaway Rotary for his service to the community and the Daniel O’Connell Post for Firefighter of the Year.
- Presently working on a eighth weekend at Windham Mountain scheduled for February 2014 as well as numerous other projects in conjunction with the Wounded Warrior Project.
- Recognized by the Wounded Warrior Project, Adaptive Sports Foundation and Disabled Sports USA.
- Honored by the Irish America Magazine as one of the top 100 Irish Americans in 2007, 2008, 2009.
- Most proud of his team work with Drs. John Kennedy and Austin Fragoman from Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC to provide second opinions and surgery if necessary for our Wounded Warriors before drastic amputations.
Our Mission
“Legends in Valor is an organization rooted in the efforts of the Wounded Warrior Project. The mission of Legends in Valor is to honor the Firefighters and Police Officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice while fighting for their country as well as serving the Wounded Warriors upon their return home”