Why?!

I asked the rhetorical "why?!" question and got plenty of answers when I posted it in several spots on Facebook. I think we all know "why" but none-the-less, frustration sets in and it seems to be one of the first questions that comes to mind after another tragic act of terrorism in a metropolitan U.S. city.

Someone was even charged up enough to call me a "dumb ass," as if I was really that naive. 

Boston MA's marathon was as good as any for an opportunistic terrorist (whether domestic of foreign) and I'm sure there will be other targets. Sadly or better, "tragically," our semi-complacent and free lifestyle will be attacked again and again, and despite our law enforcements best efforts, they cannot plan for every contingency. 

Where's that leave us? Raise your hands American's your all about to be deputized. We are fighting an ongoing battle here and it's up to all of us to evolve neighborhood watch into America's Watch. Example: You see a foreign national or other suspicious looking person drop a backpack into a trash container or leave it near a building and take off....don't leave and call the cops....start evacuating and clear the area...it's not natural. If early evacuation can occur, with a portable explosive of this size, lives can be saved and injuries greatly reduced by clearing them from the blast radius.

We are our nations law enforcements eyes and ears. We are the "tipsters" for our nations first line of defense and we owe it to our fellow American's to step up and take action. We owe it to all 8 year old American's to provide them with a safe environment at all times. Is it the bystanders faults for not noticing what this terrorist did in Boston? No. You can't blame innocent bystanders for believing that security precautions are in place during events like this, but you can include them in your contingencies by telling all visitors or participants to keep their eyes open for things that look at of place. I believe acts like these in Boston cannot go on completely unnoticed. Someone saw something that didn't look right.

Again, bystanders are not to blame here nor are the plans of law enforcement for events like these. There are just not enough officers to see everything they need to see...so that leaves us to be their eyes and ears whenever possible.

Take a simple thing like driving an automobile in the U.S. as an example: I personally drive like someone ahead of me will run a red light, swerve into me or pull out of a side street into my path. It's defensive driving and I have had no accidents over the past 35 years because of it. Should we not do the same when we are in public places or at events where thousands are gathered? We can be in a defensive mode and still have a good safe time.

We can't stop terrorism completely in America...but I think if we all put ourselves in a more defensive mode when at large gatherings, we may be able to reduce the fatalities and injuries should that one place we happen to be, become a target for these heartless cowards.

Just my thoughts....my heart goes out to all those who were injured or killed in Boston today.

Escape Artist | Hilarious Comedian | Silent Auction

Firehouse Expo & 9/11 Patch Project's Fully Involved Comedy Tour will be a huge night in Baltimore! Starting at 6pm, on July 19th, we will start off the night with a huge Silent Auction, hosted by BW Unlimited--featuring signed Sports Memorabilia, unsigned items, jewelry, gift baskets, travel packages and  much more. 100% of the proceeds of the auction and the show, will benefit the Feal Good Foundation, Terry Farrell Fund, NYC Bravest Scholarship Fund and the 9/11 Patch Project Fund.

Around 7:30, amazing escape artist Spencer Horsman, seen recently on America's Got Talent, will open the show with a death defying escape! As the youngest escape artist in the world, at 26, Spencer has already thrilled millions of TV viewers by escaping the giant jaws of a bear trap while hanging 20 feet above the stage in a straight jacket and also escaped drowning by freeing himself from a locked water tank while holding his breath. What will he do on stage in Baltimore? You don't want to miss this!!

Finally, our headline act was a former contestant on Last Comic Standing, and has already had four specials on Comedy Central. Ralphie’s record breaking fourth Comedy Central special, “Too Big to Ignore” aired March 4.Voted one of Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch, Ralphie May spreads his comedic wealth further than ever by tackling topics that will make you think and occasionally squirm. With no subject off limits, Ralphie dives in and reveals the hilarious quirks that infiltrate politics, race and even his family. Lovable enough to get away with anything, Ralphie continues to capture the hearts of thousands on his sold out tours and promises to make you gleefully uncomfortable.

The Fully Involved Comedy Tour is an official event of the Baltimore Firehouse Expo and is also open to the public. With only 4 days left, grab your tickets while you can HERE. Special thanks to our Gold Event Sponsor is the Feal Good Foundation.

Damaging Comments

Every so often, after posting links on FB to purchase the 9/11 Patches and other fund raising items, someone will make a damaging post suggesting this project exploits the heroes of 9/11. These folks don't bother to visit the website to do their homework first--they just decide on the spot that someone is making money off the blood of our 9/11 heroes. They couldn't be father from the truth!

This project, run by a Firefighter for over 10 years, is actually endorsed by the FDNY Uniformed Fire Officers Assoc. and has raised money for three 9/11 Charities over the years, selling these items. Just ask any of the FDNY Firefighters from the Fire & Ice Hockey Team how they feel about wearing the 9/11 Patch.

A simple visit to the website and some quick navigation, people would see that on the DONATIONS page, the charities that we donate to our listed--there are copies of some of the checks we have sent over the years--and there are even thank you letters that came to us from the organizations we donated to. We are even a registered non-profit and reference that several times on different web pages.


If folks really understood all that has gone into keeping this project alive and running these past 10 years they would realize that the founder has actually lost his own money by putting in $75,000 over the ears, when it was necessary to keep it going.

And for four months in 2002 when the project started, the founder filled orders for 4 months straight--selling one $3 patch (at the time) to raise over $15,000. That money raised was donated to the FDNY Uniformed Firefighters Association exactly 1 year form the tragic events of 9/11. How long does it take to raise $15,000 selling $3 patches--patches that cost nearly $2 to make?

True, there are unscrupulous people out there profiting off the events of 9/11--no doubt. But this is definitely not one of them. The project founder has gone to great lengths to provide full transparency about this fund raising and remembrance project--but if you can't take a moment to make a visit to the website and see this, you should absolutely be ashamed of yourself for making any unfounded and damaging comments about this project. Thank God there are folks that know we have been teamed up with NeverForget911 for 3 years and will step in when these comments are made and defend our organization.


Selling the patches, decals and other merchandise to raise funds has always been a difficult challenge. We have to pay vendors for these items and are always chasing inventory to keep items in stock. Hours are spent filling orders--many for a single patch or decal--and when we are down to 1 or 2  of a specific item , we have to order hundreds to keep the costs down.

That is why we recently teamed up with Firehouse Expo to bring the Fully Involved Comedy Tour to 3 nationwide Fire & EMS Expos. These large fund raising events will allow us to bring in more funds to these organizations. Last year with our 10yr 9/11 Anniversary Manhattan to Manhattan Tour, we brought in $6300 each, for the NYC Bravest Scholarship Fund, the Terry Farrell Fund and the Feal Good Foundation.

So if after reading this you want to help, please visit the website and look around at the different ways you can contribute to our goals of remembering the heroes of 9/11 while raising funds for 9/11 related charities.

9/11 Patch Project Hiring Representatives

If you are a Firefighter, EMT, Police or other Public Safety professional, the 9/11 Patch Project could use your help. Back in Late November, we announced the new Rep program and had an overwhelming response. From those previous postings, we have already hired 24 Rep's, including Rep's in Canada, Belgium and Australia.

Today, we are still looking for Rep's in the Southern California area, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Montana, Texas (2), Colorado, Kansas, Michigan, Georgia, North Dakota and South Dakota. We are also looking for Rep's in countries like New Zealand, the UK, Germany, France, Ireland and Scotland. Additionally, Rep's are need in Australia's NSW, South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria territories. This is a performance based position where you would earn 15% of sales you generate. This is also an Independent Contractor position with no benefits or salary. This position is suitable as a part time job to start which may evolve into full salaried positions for the right individuals.

Moving forward the next 10 years, the goals of the 9/11 Patch Project now involve a more hands on approach in contacting organizations to participate. Having Rep's in each area that have contacts and previous sales experience, will help the project garner support and participation as well as raise funds.

Email Brett Hill, if you are interested. Thank You!

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?

Our 10 Year Anniversary~

Thanks to all of you who have supported the 9/11 Patch Project these past 10 years. With our 10 anniversary on December 15th, it is a great time for a thank-you message from the project founder, Brett Hill.


Many of our supporters come from the NeverForget911 page and a special thanks goes out to Rich Karns, the founder, for facilitating the partnership with the 9/11 Patch Project that began 18 months ago.


Today, the 9/11 Patch Project has 22 representatives out there in 20 different U.S. States and two Countries (Belgium & Canada). For the next 10 years, the goals are to make sure more Public Safety and U.S. Military organizations are aware of the project and have the opportunity to participate alongside over 8000 organizations in 25 countries.


To insure we continue helping the world remember the heroes of 9/11 and raising funds, we would ask that you consider one of the following levels of support:


1. It's the holidays! Why not purchase our gift bag or one of the other many 9/11 Tribute items as memorable gifts?


2. Is your name or your organizations' name on the 9/11 WALL of supporters? You can get on the wall for as little as $9.11



3. What's in your wallet? We have recently teamed up with Capital One to bring you three 9/11 Patch Project cards to choose from. Every time you make a purchase, you give a small percentage back to the 9/11 Patch Project, the NYC Bravest Scholarship Fund and the Feal Good Foundation.


Happy Holidays and thanks in advance for your years of support along with your future support to insure we stay open another 10 years!

9/11 Patch Project Gifts

The 9/11 Patch Project hopes that you decide to give the 9/11 Tribute Patches & Decals as gifts this holiday season. Recently, a gal ordered one of our 9/11 Patch & Decal Gift Packs for a fire station that responded on her motorcycle accident. She even asked that we include a note from her and we did. These special $25 gift packs have 10 items in them and actually come in a gift bag ready to send. You can get them HERE.

The 9/11 Patch Project relies on the sales of the patches and decals along with donations, to keep the project funded and to raise donations for the NYC Bravest Scholarship Fund, the Terry Farrell Fund and the Feal Good Foundation. We have been helping folks remember the heroes of 9/11 for nearly 10 years now and hope that you give us the opportunity to keep the project going another 10 years.

Thanks in advance for thinking of us when choosing memorable gifts for the holidays!

10 Yr 9/11 Original Firefighter Pin

A new item has been added to the 9/11 Patch Project online store. The pin pictured on the left, is a replica of the 10 Yr Original Patch and measures 1" X 1 1/4". 

These pins are made with a high end production process called Semi Cloisonné and not the photo etched or soft enamel pin that many offer out there. This is a very high quality and durable pin.

For those who are having a hard time getting the patch approved for your on duty uniform, this pin is a great alternative! With the 10 Year Anniversary of 9/11 only months away, now is a great time to get yours!

We will also be adding dog tags and key chains with this same design. Here is a sneak peek at the items:

Also, for those who have asked about T-Shirts, Hoodies, Mugs, Mouse Pads and other items, we have opened a store with Zazzle so that we can now supply them. Click the picture below to go to the store:

9/11 Patch Project Items