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!

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

Keeping the 9/11 Patch Project Open

The 9/11 Patch Project was established December of 2001 to help keep the memory of our fallen 9/11 Heroes alive. The objectives of the project are to raise funds though the sale of the special 9/11 Patches, Decals and Pins as well as recruit Fire, EMS, Police and U.S. Military to place the patches on their uniforms or other clothing and/or apply the decals to their vehicles or apparatus.

To date, over 8000 organizations in 25 countries are represented by either wearing one of the patches or displaying one of the decals.

All the net proceeds from the sale of patches and decals have been donated to as many as 10 different non profit organizations. The latest three non profit's to benefit from the project are the NYC Bravest Scholarship Fund, Terry Farrell Fund and the Feal Good Foundation. Each of them recently received $6300 each.

Since the 10 year mark has passed us by, sales from the project have slowed to a crawl. Unless sales and interest in the project picks up, the project will be forced to close down on its' 10 year anniversary, December 15th, 2011. I am asking for everyone's help to keep this project going another 10 years. If you want to see the project remain open and the work of the 9/11 Patch Project continue, please contribute in any of the following ways:

1. 9/11 WALL: For only $9.11, you or your organization can be added to the 9/11 WALL of supporters and show your support publicly.

2. Make a larger donation from our DONATIONS page and also be added to the 9/11 WALL.

3. Order Patches & Decals from our ORDER page

4. Share the link to our homepage to as many of your friends and family as possible: http://9-11patchproject.org

I want to thank all of you who have continued to support the project all these years and hope that you can continue to support the project by making a donation, ordering from our store or passing on the link to our website. Thanks in advance for what you are willing to do to help keep the project open past December 15th, 2011

FireRescue1 Deals

The 9/11 Patch Project recently teamed up with FireRescue1 to bring their new "Deals" program to Fire Organizations out there that could use a 25-75% discount on firefighting equipment and services.

The economy isn't getting any friendlier for both Career and Volunteer Fire Departments out there--both of which could use a break when ordering fire equipment or using critical services. The 9/11 Patch Project highly recommends DEALS for all fire related organizations out there. None of us can afford to be without these significant discounts. In FireRescue1's own words...

FireRescue1 Deals has teamed up with top businesses serving the fire service to give you 25-75% off on firefighting equipment, services and events that will help you serve your communities even more effectively.

The 9/11 Patch Project Lives On!

FDNY Fire & Ice Hockey Team Wearing 9/11 Patch

The 10 Year mark of 9/11 has passed but the goal of helping the world remember the heroes of 9/11 lives on.

It was the words of an FDNY Firefighter, "Please Don't Forget Us," that began the project back in December of 2011 and nearly 10 years later, those words still resonate in the ears of project founder Brett Hill.

Why continue to wear the 9/11 Patches or display the 9/11 Decals, even after 10 years? Because NEVER FORGET means NEVER! The words are inscribed on each patch and meant to mean what they say. It's pointless to run this project for 10 years and then move on. We can move on from the horrible images of the day but let's not move on from the memory of what our heroes did that day.

U.S. NAVY SEAL

Some have diminished the value of a simple patch or decal but the truth is, these patches have found their way completely around the world. They are seen on the shoulders of firefighters in 21 different countries and on the shoulders of thousands, from all  U.S. Military branches. These patches have brought about something positive as a result of something so tragic. They have crossed our borders, ignored politics and disregarded cultural differences. They unite people, help them honor the memory of our lost heroes and honor their professions.

Being able to donate the net proceeds from the sale of these patches and decals is another very important part of this project. The FDNY Bravest Scholarship Fund, the Terry Fund and the Feal Good Foundation are all important to the 9/11 Patch Project and will continue to receive funds. To see the latest donations and letters, follow this LINK


One of the main goals of the project is to continue getting the patches on uniforms across the U.S. as a permanent part of the uniform. We all have different patches that identify our unique organizations, the 9/11 Patches are the common threads that unite us all.

Lest we NEVER FORGET!

Chicago Firefighters Local 2 & Northrup Grumman on the 9/11 Bus!

June 28th, 2011, the 10 Yr 9/11 Manhattan to Manhattan Bus rolled into Chicago's Quinn Fire Academy around noon. The bus was met by Tom Ryan, Local 2 President, the Chicago Fire Commissioner, and many Chicago Fire personnel.

Craig and Pam, the tour coordinators, were really taken care of by Local 2!

After providing a brief presentation of what the 9/11 Patch Project was all about, the Fire Commissioner gave his approval for the 9/11 Patches on Chicago Fire job-shirts.

About 2 weeks later, after board approval, Chicago Local 2 went with the Platinum Sponsorship and now have their logo on the 9/11 Bus. Local 2 will now finish the tour with us and ride into Manhattan to meet with the FDNY and other New Yorkers.

We want to thank Chicago for welcoming the tour into their organization and really stepping up to support our fund raising mission! We sincerely hope that other IAFF Locals and organizations will also step up and get on the 9/11 Bus to take this historical journey with us!

We want to also thank Northrup Grumman for stepping up and joining the tour with us. We are scheduled for a big visit to Northrup Grumman on August 2nd, at their facility near Baltimore. As you can see, NG was proactive and already have their logo on the bus! I am sure it will be great for them to see their logo on the side of the 9/11 Bus as we pull into Northrup Grumman on the 2nd!

Here is more information about the tour, sponsorships and the fund raising 9/11 Patches and Decals.

Thanks to all those who have supported the 9/11 Patch Project as we also approach our 10th anniversary of helping the world remember the heroes of 9/11.

Brett Hill- Founder

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.

Get Your 9/11 Patches & Decals Before the Rush

Order the 9/11 Patches and decals for your organization before the summer rush. Every year, in the few months leading up to the anniversary of 9/11, many rush to order their patches and decals and it overwhelms the project. Last year, 450 orders came in from August 11 to September 11. With only a couple of us filling orders, it translated into some delays for those who purchased the patches and decals at the last minute. Many emailed or called asking where their patches were; within just a few days of ordering. Still, we managed to get 98% of orders to people prior to 9/11/10. I personally spent my entire summer processing orders. And most of the funds from orders went to pay the vendor bill left to us when Melissa Powell of "Keep Our Heroes safe," didn't pay her 5000 patch bill. So if you are going to make a large order for your organization, we will get it done but will need to receive payment prior--thanks to Melissa!

It is the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 and a very significant milestone for the 9/11 Patch Project that began its' efforts in December of 2001. As many of you know, there are over 6000 organizations represented (wearing on of the patches or displaying one of the decals) in 22 countries.

With the 10 Year 9/11 Anniversary Manhattan to Manhattan Tour well underway, patches and decals have been nearly sold out at every hosted tour stop. Donations have been given at every stop as well, so our entire fund raising mission is going very well!

Craig and Pam of FireCareers have done an incredible job driving thousands of miles all over the U.S. to be at these great hosted tour stops. As the tour moves on, the press is picking up the story and the crowds are growing! It's still not too late to get on the tour map. Contact Craig to see if he can fit you in. All we ask is that you bring a good size crowd if we can get your hosted stop on the tour. In some cases, Craig and Pam will make a significant diversion to make it to your stop. At $1 a mile, this gets very costly!

GOT BUS? Get on the 9-11 Patch Project Manhattan to Manhattan Tour BUS. Get your name, church, military unit, firefighter local, police officer local, business, or organization included in the FireCareers Bus SAFETY STRIPE of names. That’s right, we are starting to install our reflective stripe around the BUS. Our stripe will be multiple lines of inch and half reflective letters with names of those who donate $911.11 to the 9-11 Patch Project. Please show your support for these worthy organizations and make your donation today. Get on the BUS as soon as possible and show your support.

Thanks to all of you out there that are supporting this effort!

Release of new full size 9/11 Flag

The 9/11 Patch Project has just released this full size flag (3 foot by 5 foot) that bears the image of the 9/11 Patch worn by over 5000 organizations in 22 countries.

The flag is a strong polyester material, printed on both sides and screen printed to resist fade.

The flag can be purchased by fire departments and flown on their apparatus or station and purchased by the general population as a flag that can be flown on their homes.

This custom flag will most likely sell for $59.95 each. As is the case with the patches, portions of the proceeds from the sale of the 9/11 Flags will benefit the FDNY's Bravest Scholarship Fund and the Terry Farrell Firefighter Fund.

Please watch our order page as the flag will be up on the website very soon. Here is the link to the order page: 9/11 Patch Project ORDER

Here is a video news story from the founder of the 9/11 Patch Project, Brett Hill, former Firefighter-Paramedic and IAFF Local 3657 President.

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