A Belgian Firefighter and a 9/11 Patch

I had just finished filling another 35 orders--it was about 9pm and I had a 48 hour shift to work in the morning. Just before leaving the office, I logged on and checked my email--up popped this picture of a Belgian Firefighter (Bob) wearing the 9/11 Patch on the front of his Class A uniform. I was awed by the image of a non-U.S. firefighter wearing the 9/11 Patch with the backdrop of our U.S. Flag, right on the front of his uniform! And, this project had crossed the borders of the U.S. and made it thousands of miles across the Atlantic. More important to me was the fact our loss of 343 brother firefighters became Bob's loss too.

This was back in March of 2002 when I was filling over 25 orders everyday for nearly 5 months. I would work my 48 shift at the Fire Department and spend my four days off filling orders--sometimes until 11pm. I looked forward to my email everyday because pictures like this were sent to me all the time.

Bob was the first picture sent to me of a non-U.S. firefighter wearing the 9/11 Patch. It is the most important picture as it was the first to demonstrate the world's response to the attacks on America, September 11, 2001. Bob was the only firefighter from Belgium to actually send his photo to me but many more Belgians would order the 9/11 Patches and Decals over the years.

Ironically, after looking for representatives to give the 9/11 Patch Project a more local presence in U.S. States and other countries, the first out-of-country representative to step up was a Belgian Police Officer named Christophe Knop. In Christophe's short time representing the 9/11 Patch Project in Belgium, he is already the front runner of our 23 representatives, bringing in 9 orders in December.

Shortly after Bob's photo was sent to me, I received photos from the UK, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Malta, Gemany and other countries with firefighters wearing one of the 9/11 Patches or displaying one of the 9/11 Decals. To date, there are over 25 countries with Firefighters, EMT's, Police Officers and U.S. deployed soldiers--all wearing one of the 9/11 Patches.

You see, it's not just about a patch anymore--it is about a fraternity of public safety and military personnel around the world that share common threads and all wear their hearts on their sleeves. Out of the tragedy of 9/11 came a unique act of solidarity that would go on to be unparallelled over the past 10 years. Are you wearing your 9/11 Patch or displaying your 9/11 decal?

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.

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

9/11 FLAG

The 9/11 Flag seen flying in front of this home belongs to a supporter of the 9/11 Patch Project and a supporter of the heroes that gave it all on 9/11.

The flag measures 3' X 5' and is a standard size flag. There are two sides of the flag sewn together to make it durable and able to withstand extreme weather conditions. Both sides are mirrored images so that when put together, has the stars and strips both right and left positioned--like a normal American Flag.

The material is a strong nylon/polyester and due to the double material--it will not tear during extreme wind conditions. The flag was made this way to ride on top of or behind fire apparatus and stay in tact.
 

The 9/11 flag can be used as a banner, fly from a pole or be hung at an event.  As seen in the picture to the right, the 9/11 Flag is hanging at the Harley Center in San Diego.

However people decide to display the 9/11 Flag, it is the 9/11 Patch Project's hope that all American's across our land with show their support this 10 Year Anniversary of 9/11, by getting one or two.

As is the case with the 9/11 Patches and Decals, these flags are also used to raise funds for the FDNY Bravest Scholarship Fund, The Terry Farrell Fund and the Feal Good Foundation.

The Loxley Fire Department chose the 9/11 Flag to fly next to the American Flag on the rear of their apparatus.

Other fire departments have elected to also fly the flag from the top of their apparatus or even hang it on the rear of the apparatus as a banner.

Get your 9/11 Flags here: 9/11 FLAG