Not Just Another 9/11

Meet Chief Jack Reed of the Marion Fire Dept. in Illinois. In mid 2002, the Marion FD made the decision to support the 9-11 Patch Project's effort to remember the heroes of 9-11 and add the 9-11 Patch to their uniforms. Evident by the photo of Chief Read still wearing the 9-11 Patch, WE WILL NEVER FORGET means never!

It has been nearly 12 years since the tragic events of 9/11 and there are over 10,000 organizations out there in more than 30 countries that have made that promise to NEVER FORGET by wearing one of the 9-11 Patches. In fact, there are millions of organizations out there that have also made that promise and don't wear a patch.

Do we all need to wear a patch to make that promise? No. But those who have made the 9-11 Patch a part of their uniforms or other official clothing, proudly enforce that promise visually, to one another and members of the public.

The 9-11 Patch Project only came about because of four words spoken by an FDNY firefighter at Ground Zero as he was saying goodbye to the LAFD Task Force back in September of 2011, "PLEASE DON'T FORGET US." Those four words inspired a firefighter from Los Angeles, California, to heed the call for help back in December of 2011. It became one man's mission and grew to become the mission of millions around the world to make a promise to NEVER FORGET. Taking the proceeds from the sale of the patches and donating them to 9/11 related organizations in need, was the icing on the cake.

Beating the WE WILL NEVER FORGET drum constantly over the years is a difficult thing to do--the sound is fading yet the mission continues as strong as ever. Honoring the lives of our fallen heroes must go on as lives continue to be lost as a result of 9/11--from cancer and respiratory deaths related to working the pile for months and years following 9/11, to suicides related to PTSD and Survival Guilt. Just ask John Feal, founder of the Feal Good Foundation, who is the nations strongest and most visible advocate for the health rights of 1st Responders. He has lost many friends since 9/11 and continues to lose them at as many as 30+ monthly.

9/11 is not just a part of our history...it is a part of our lives today...even 12 years later.

Selling the patches and other 9/11 themed merchandise does two things: 1. It provides a means for others to

honor the memory of the fallen and 2. provides funds to keep the 9-11 Patch Project Fund going so that funds can be raised and donated to the 9/11 charities supported over the years.

The 9-11 Patch Project owes a great deal of gratitude to the NEVERFORGET911 facebook page founder, Rich Karns, for all his help in getting the word out to fans of the site. At the time the 9-11 Patch Project founder teamed up with Karns (nearly 4 years ago) the site had about 100k fans. Today, the site is the most interactive and supported 9/11 related facebook page with over 450,000 fans.

Without the help of Karns and all the incredible Sponsors, the project doors would have closed long ago.

Will the 9-11 Patch Project continue? That is entirely up to the support that comes in from the public, public safety, military and other companies/organizations.

In closing, thanks to Chief Reed for his leadership and his willingness to continue to beat the Never Forget drum. Thanks to the thousands of organizations out there that have joined the Chief, thanks to Rich Karns for his work on facebook and finally, thanks to all the sponsors for believing in this project all these years.

Please visit the site and see how you can help and get involved today. Visit the website here: 9-11 Patch Project

"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!

Is it Time to Move on?

Brett Hill- Founder

At the end of 2011 I take a moment to reflect over the past year and the previous 10 that I have submerged my life into the 9/11 Patch Project. There are no mixed emotions...the drive to get one of the four 9/11 Patches on all public safety and and U.S. military uniforms or other clothing, is a journey I began in December of 2001 and a journey that will only end when I do. Is it an obsession over 9/11? No, it is about keeping a promise to Never Forget.

It is time to move on from the tragic, graphic and horrible images of 9/11 but it is not time to forget. When I heard the words, "Please Don't Forget Us," spoken from an FDNY Firefighter to an LAFD Firefighter at Ground Zero, it did not mean to me that I would run the 9/11 Patch Project for 10 years and move on. To Never Forget, means to always remember...simple translation and an obvious one at that. But, it does not seem so obvious to many in this resilient nation who have literally decided to completely move on.

Rio Hondo Fire Academy- Santa Fe Springs, CA

Every new fire recruit at the Rio Hondo Fire Academy in Santa Fe Springs, California, receives two patches to be sewn on their academy uniforms--the Rio Hondo Patch and the 9/11 Patch. Even 10 years after the tragic event that took the lives of 343 firefighters, those that have decided to start their career at Rio Hondo, will do so fully understanding the sacrifice of so many that came before them. They will also understand fully, what they may face as a future firefighter. This is a message that Academy Chief Tracy Rickman sends to every fire recruit that comes through Rio Hondo Fire Academy. As one of the guest speakers at Rio Hondo's 2011 summer graduation, it was truly inspirational to look out at the graduating class and see them all proudly wearing their 9/11 Patches.

As many across the nation completely move on from 9/11, the 9/11 Patch Project ramps up by recently hiring 24 representatives to continue the 9/11 Patch drive on a closer and more personal level. Working from Southern California the past 10 years has been challenging. Sending out newsletters, posting on Facebook (and many other social networks), sending emails, posting press releases and making phone calls has just not been enough. The project has even sent out two mailers to every fire department in the nation the past 10 years and it has just not been enough. Having local representatives utilizing their professional connections and actually visiting organizations, is something that has become very necessary.

Although the 9/11 Patch Project appreciates the purchase of one or two patches & decals from supporters on Facebook's NeverForget911 page, the project is really about getting these patches on the shoulders of all public safety and U.S. military uniforms. It is about taking one of the most tragic events in American History and turning it into a positive moving forward. The world responded in a way we have never seen after the events of 9/11. People came together--borders were erased--politics were ignored--and cultural differences didn't matter. This simple idea of a 9/11 Patch on every uniform helps us all remember the heroes of 9/11 and remember how the world came together after the lives lost on 9/11 became the world's loss.

So pick up a patch or decal if you are wondering why you see them on the shoulders of firefighters, police officers and soldiers around the world. If you are an organization that honors and continues to remember the loss of your fellow heroes of 9/11, then pick up a 100 or so and get them on your uniforms. It's been 10 years but it's never too late to Never Forget.

*If you are a civilian or an organization that is not interested in participating in the 9/11 Patch Project, but still want to show your support,  then why not show your support by adding your name or organization to the 9/11 WALL.

Wearing Our Hearts on our Sleeves

The 9/11 Patch Project is about nationally and internationally accepted 9/11 Tribute Patches designed to be a permanent addition to your organizations uniform or casual clothing. It is about sharing common threads and creating unity among all Fire, EMS, Police and U.S.Military & U.S. Allied organizations. The project is also about honoring Firefighters, EMS, Police and Military personnel who gave their lives on 9/11 and those who continue to risk it all daily. The Project patches and decals have become the permanent 9/11 Tribute for over 5000 organizations in 22 countries over the past 7 years.

With the 10 Year 9/11 Anniversary upon us, now is a great time for your organization to participate by wearing the 9/11 Tribute Uniform Patch. Two ten year anniversary patches are now available as a tribute designed to be worn for all of 2011--or choose any of the other patches as a permanent uniform tribute. EMAIL: 911patchproject@gmail.com