9/11 Patch Project Seeking Partnerships

The idea of partnering came to us when The Decal World contacted us and asked if they could partner with us on a product. They had created a beautiful 9/11 Rhinestone Shirt and wanted to find a charitable 9/11 Organization to donate $10 per shirt to. So we talked and with a week, we had the shirt on our site and began co-promoting it with them.

How does it work? Actually, it is quite simple. We create a product together (using one of our 9/11 Patch designs or one of yours) and you sell it as you do other items on your site. We create a image and profile of the item on our site and it has a button that will click right through to where you offer it on your site. We agree to a portion of each sale that goes back to the 9/11 Patch Project Fund and we are off and running.

You can see how this looks with the 9/11 Rhinestone Shirt on our site now:  9/11 Patch Project Store Once we put this up on our site (took about 10 minutes), we advertised the fund raising deal on Facebook and sold 7 shirts the 1st day! This helps you with sales, gives you the opportunity to add a "give back" item in your store, and helps us raise funds for our project and our fund raising partners; NYC Bravest Scholarship Fund, Terry Farrell Fund & Feal Good Foundation.

We also partnered nearly a year ago, with Capital One, to create the only approved non profit 9/11 Cards. We currently have over 30 card holders. This program kicks back $50 per new cardholder and 1-2% of their purchases on a quarterly basis.

So let us know if you have an idea on an item we can partner with you on. The process does not take long and we could use the help with our fund raising activities. If you are interested in this concept, please EMAIL me with your ideas and we'll see it we can make it work!

"Please Don't Forget Us"

FDNY with the 9/11 Patch Project Bus Tour

You've all heard the story about how the 9/11 Patch Project began, many times...but I believe it is worth repeating. The four words, "Please Don't Forget Us," were spoken to a LAFD Firefighter from an FDNY Firefighter as they were parting their ways in late September of 2001. I heard these words from my Firefighter friend, shortly after he returned home from his Task Force deployment at Ground Zero. My response was creating the 9/11 Patch Project. Getting a 9/11 Tribute Patch on all uniforms has been the project's quest these past 10 years along with raising much needed funds for 9/11 related non-profits.

The project gets 90% of it's funding though the sale of the 9/11 Patches, Decals, Pins and other fund raising items. Occasionally, there is a donation made via the 9/11 WALL or on our Donation Page, which also helps to keep this project afloat.

There has not been enough funds coming into the project since last September, when we made nearly $20,000 in donations to the NYC Bravest Scholarship Fund, the Terry Farrell Fund and the Feal Good Foundation. Many orders and some donations allowed us to accomplish this.

Today, orders are trickling in and donations are rare. We need your help. If you feel the project should continue then please consider helping out in any of the following ways:

1. Order your 9/11 Patches & Decals HERE


2. Become a Sponsor for only $91.10 and get your website banner and link on our site HERE


3. Get your name or organization on the 9/11 WALL for only $9.11 HERE

4. Or make any size donation HERE

Thanks for what you are willing or able to do to insure we continue doing the great work of the 9/11 Patch Project for at least another 10 years!

Remembering our Fallen Law Enforcement of 9/11

9/11 Police Design to be Released

Even though the firefighter founded 9/11 Patch Project created a patch that honors fire-police-military in 2006, it is time to release a decal and patch that solely honors the police officers that lost their lives on 9/11.

Here is a first look at the design that still needs some touching up before being formally released in a week or so.

The NYPD's loss of 23 officers and the PAPD's loss of 37 officers is equally as tragic and significant  as the loss of 343 FDNY Firefighters--at least that's the point that I, as a former firefighter/paramedic, wants to make to the world.

The FDNY is an incredible organization that bravely risks their lives on a day-to-day basis and I have a very deep eternal respect for them. But, I also share that same respect and admiration for the NYPD and PAPD who ran into the WTC's, alongside firefighters, to rescue victims on that horrible day in American history.

Even though the ""3-Heroes 9/11 Patch," that was released in 2006 was meant to honor all 1st Responders, it made sense to me to take the steps to go on and create the 9/11 EMT design and the 9/11 Police design.

I know exactly what our nation's law enforcement does as I worked alongside them for over 20 years. We ran emergency calls together--stayed up all night on incidents together--ate together--went to off duty events together--and most important, we risked it all together, daily!

I am interested in your thoughts on the design and whether some of our law enforcement agencies out there would like to see this design in the form of a uniform patch. Please let me know by emailing me here: BRETT HILL

Bringing Hero Home

20/20 had a great segment this past Friday called, "Bringing Hero Home," a very touching story about a soldier killed in the line of duty and how they were able to bring a dog he cared for over in Iraq, back home. His father can be seen here wearing the blue t-shirt with one of the 9/11 Patch Project designs on it.

Seeing this story Friday night along with the 9/11 Patch Project design on the fathers t-shirt, reminded me how our U.S. Soldiers began participating in the 9/11 Patch Project back in 2002.

Many of our deployed troops have been wearing one of the 9/11 Patches since March of 2002 when a Navy Pilot and Navy SEAL introduced them while deployed in Afghanistan. The soldiers wanted to wear them alongside U.S. Fire and Police personnel as a sign of unity. LTJG Everett Alcorn can be seen wearing one of the 9/11 Patches in this photo, flying a mission somewhere over the waters of Afghanistan. Alcorn was assigned to the Helicopter Combat Support Group- HC6. He bought 200 patches and handed them out to his fellow pilots stationed on his Air Craft Carrier.

Shortly after Alcorn brought the 9/11 Patches to his fellow soldiers, a Navy SEAL from Team 1 Hotel Company, added the 9/11 Patch to his military issues. A San Gabriel Firefighter, who participated in the project back in 2002, was good friends with the SEAL and sent him the patches.

Over the years, the 9/11 Patches have become very popular gifts for soldiers deployed overseas. Like the dog in the story, soldiers are always looking for things to increase their morale. To order the patch that can be seen in the photo at the top, click HERE to get a huge discount. To order a t-shirt with the patch design on it, click HERE.

There's no pleasing Ms. Brody

WHERE IS MY ORDER??????????? This was the exact title of an email sent to me yesterday along with the exact amount of question marks. Upon opening it, the body of the email went on to say she had ordered 3 patches on September 26th, the money was out of her account, she sent three emails and she was tired of getting my stupid newsletters. She ended with "and I still have not got them - WHY NOT???????????" 

Funny thing is I had deleted her first email after responding but then received this near duplicate even after I had asked for additional information and why her address in Ireland did not have a house number or street. This is almost the exact email she had originally sent me--there were no responses to the questions I had asked in two previous emails. Is this how most people inquire about their order? I would stick my neck out and say...no way! Having no record of any prior emails sent from my Gmail account, I told her that and expressed my concern about her address seeming incomplete.

Getting no where with her, things escalated where my response to Marion included phrases like, "Stop being rude and act like an adult" and "Calm down...I am trying to work with you." She analyzed the phrases and responded back to me, "I must say its no wonder nobody is buying from your site, you have no customer service skills and you seem to be running a one man shop answering your e-mails through your Blackberry!! Have a read back over your reply again - my god you are the rudest, most arrogant, patronising man I have ever come across. How dare you tell me to 'act like an adult' - is that what you are doing by speaking to a customer like that? You are a joke!!!"

Emails are a very imperfect means of communication and I have to admit, this is not the first time someone has misinterpreted my email. Three is no misinterpreting Marion's email--it was pretty clear. Phone calls are always the best methods for communicating between a buyer and a seller--but a phone call to Ireland was not in the budget for this $10.38 purchase for 3 decals (not patches).


So, after checking the paypal database for her order, I found it was actually made under someone other than herself. But it was filled and sent to Ireland within 24 hours. Why it didn't get there, no one really knows. Had I actually heard from her sooner, I would have bent over backwards to please her because that's how I feel about all customers. Occasionally an order does not find its mark and I will re send. In this case, I got frustrated and refunded her friends account because she never answered my requests. Before this email came today, I even sent another order to the same address (she insisted it was where she received mail the past 3 years) just to see if there was any way to make this lady happy.

So the last part of her latest email read, "I work in a company and had an order for 78 of your decals from my staff, but because of the way you treated me I won't be placing that order now - so its your loss for being so arrogant. I will be highlighting your web page to all my contacts and telling them not to order from you. Now you 'calm down' and try and be nice to people in the future."

Lessons learned: The customer is not always right. I do have to take responsibility for the statements I made out of frustration but I am human and like customers, my buttons can be pushed as well. I am a one man show but take pride in making the happiness of my customers the most important part of what I do. The reputation of the 9/11 Patch Project the past 10 years is impeccable--there should be hundreds of you out there willing to come forward to speak to that.

In the end, I have lost a customer but I am convinced that there is nothing more I can do. Emails are not the best means of communication and this case history is a testament to that. If Ms Brody wants to make her ambition bad mouthing the 9/11 Patch Project, there is nothing I can do. After serving over 15,000 customers these past 10 years, losing one is something I can get over. There is nothing that I said that called for the demeaning response I got from her. I have run this project the past 10 years to help folks remember the heroes of 9/11 and raise funds. This is what I do and the support I get from 99.9% of folks out there is what fuels me.

Brett Hill- Founder
9/11 Patch Project

Honoring the 10 Yr Mark of 9/11 | What You Can Do

The 9/11 WALL was put up on the 9/11 Patch Project website over 2 months ago. This was done for those who asked how they could publicly support our fund raising efforts with the 10 Yr 9/11 Manhattan to Manhattan Tour and to be counted among the nation's supporters.

The 9/11 Bus could not visit every City on it's 9 month 30-State journey, so this also gives those who were not able to visit with the bus, the opportunity to make a smaller donation, and be seen [counted] as a supporter on the website. We have also decided to make the 9/11 WALL part of the 10 Yr 9/11 Manhattan to Manhattan Tour memory album that will be presented to the FDNY. So make your donation today HERE and we'll place you on the 9/11 WALL of supporters within 12 hours.

9/11 Bus & Melbourne (Australia) 2011WPFG athlete, wearing 9/11 Patch

We also want to let you know that the 10 Yr 9/11 Patches and Decals are in stock for an immediate turn-around. Most domestic orders placed within the next day or so will make it to you within 2-3 days. So those looking for the patches or car decals, you can still get them in time for 9/11/11. To get the fund raising patches and decals, please go HERE. Remember, the patches, decals, pins and flag, helps our fund raising efforts but also gives you something tangible to remember and honor the heroes of 9/11.

Got Patch?

As good looking as these guys are, they are not models. They are firefighters-one wearing the 9/11 3-Heroes Patch on his turnout coat and the other wearing the 10 yr Original 9/11 Patch on his job-shirt.

One is Canadian and the other French. Both wear the patches, with the back drop of our American Flag, to honor the memory of the FDNY, NYPD and PAPD heroes that gave it all on 9/11/01. They wear the patches alongside fellow firefighters in the U.S. and 20 other countries.

For nearly 10 years now, the 9/11 Patch Project has been promoting these patches as permanent 9/11 Tribute Patches for the uniforms of Firefighters, EMT's, Police Officers and U.S. Soldiers. Proceeds from the sale of these patches are raised for three organizations; The FDNY Bravest Scholarship Fund (providing $10,000 scholarships for the children of FDNY Firefighters), the Terry Farrell Fund (helping firefighters across America with equipment needs) and the Feal Good Foundation (Helping Fire, EMS, Police, Construction Workers and other personnel who became ill or injured after working at Ground Zero)

The project is open to the public and patches and decals are available for everyone. Rather than just ask for donations to support a cause, we raise funds from the sale of the patches--giving you all something very tangible for your donation. Something that helps the world remember the heroes of 9/11 and something that allows you to wear your heart on your sleeve.

So with the 10 Year Anniversary of 9/11 less than 4 months away, now is a great time for you and your organizations to pick some up- sew them on your clothing-and wear them proudly!

You can get the patches, decals, pins and flags at: 9/11 Patch Project-Order

Wear the 9/11 Patch for this up coming 10 Year 9/11 Anniversary

For nearly 9 years, the Marion Fire Department personnel in Illinois have been wearing their hearts on their sleeves. Pictured to the left is a Marion Firefighter wearing the Original 9/11 Patch.

This organization, along with thousands of others across the U.S., made a decision to honor the memory of their lost FDNY brothers by adding the 9/11 Tribute Patch to their uniforms. Some participated in the project by purchasing their patches years ago--while others, are still learning about the project and coming on board nearly 10-years later.

The 9/11 Patch Project's 10-Yr 9/11 Manhattan to Manhattan Tour is now in Illinois and will be visiting the following organizations:

• June 9: Bloomington Firefighters, IL
• June 10: Decatur Firefighters, IL
• June 13: Springfield Firefighters, IL
• June 14: Peoria Firefighters, IL
• June 15: Aurora Firefighters, IL
• June 18: Village of Manhattan Police & Firefighters, IL
• June 23: Davenport Firefighters, IA
• June 25-26: Rockford Firefighters, IL
• June 28: Chicago Firefighters, IL

If you are in any of these areas for any of these dates, please come by each Cities headquarters fire station and help support our awareness and fund raising mission.

We also hope that if you are on the fence about whether of not to participate by wearing any of the 9/11 Patches or displaying any of the decals, the 10 Year Anniversary of 9/11 is only a couple of months ahead and a great time to make your move. Get your patches and decals now at: 9/11 Patch Project.

A 9/11 Uniform Patch That Traveled Around the World

Belgian Firefighter "Bob"

Meet Bob, a firefighter from Belgium. Although, I have recently been corrected to refer to Bob as a "Belgian Firefighter." Bob supports his brother firefighters by wearing the 9/11 Patch on his Class-A uniform--a purchase he made nearly 10 years ago after the tragic events of 9/11.

No politics--no cultural differences--no boundaries, just a firefighter honoring the loss of hundreds of FDNY firefighters many thousands of miles away. Even though the patch bears the image of our U.S. Flag, he wears this patch from another country right on the front of his uniform.

Bob is not alone. Even today, nearly 10 years later, orders from Belgium come into the 9/11 Patch Project regularly. And Belgium is not alone, as orders from Germany, Sweden, Japan, China, Italy, Malta, Australia, New Zealand and many other countries continue to come in as firefighters and citizens alike, from these other countries, want to show their support for the lost heroes of 9/11. 

Italian Father and Son Firefighters

Ten years later, the 9/11 Patch Project reflects on the work the project has done. You see, it's been about more than just a patch. It's been about bringing both public safety and citizens from all countries back together--it's been about unity. The patch traveled around the world and has shown up on uniforms everywhere--making this project the largest and farthest reaching 9/11 Project in the world.

No back slapping and celebrating here; whether it's one of the 4 patches, decals, pins or flags, that people wear or display, it sends a clear message to folks around the world: We are united, strong, tenacious, enduring...WE ARE ONE!

With Bin Laden dead and forever lost at sea, we can move forward this 10th Anniversary of 9/11/01. We will still not forget the brave sacrifice our heroes made nearly 10 year ago but the patches, decals, pins and flags sends a message to the world that despite the time that's passed--the resiliency of our nations--WE WILL TRULY NEVER FORGET those that perished at the will of the most hated evil doer in the world.

So do you have your patch? Does your organization wear it already? There's no sunset to this project--remembering is forever. So pick your patch or decal up now and be counted.