News

9/11 Patch Project: A Uniform Tribute to Remember the Heroes of 9/11

Published Date: 11.29.2011

By Brett Hill, Founder, 9/11 Patch Project

Since December 2001, the 9/11 Patch Project has worked to get one of the four 9/11 Tribute Patches on all fire uniforms, jackets, turnouts, or job-shirts. The project has also been about raising funds. Tens of thousands of dollars raised from the sale of the special patches have been donated to 9/11-related nonprofit organizations over the past 10 years and continue to be donated today.

Recently, in honor of the 10 Year Anniversary of 9/11, the 9/11 Patch Project teamed up with FireCareers.com to tour the U.S. for nine months. The tour met with over 175 fire departments in 35 states, traveling over 16,000 miles.

Many volunteer fire departments across the nation were among the first to begin adding the 9/11 Tribute patches to their uniforms back in March 2002. Additionally, fire departments from as many as 24 other countries began wearing the patch along with deployed U.S. troops from all branches of the military.

Nearly 10 years later, the quest continues to make the 9/11 Tribute Patches a permanent part of firefighter clothing. To date, over 8,000 organizations around the world are participating by wearing one of the patches and/or displaying one or more of the 9/11 Patch Decals.

Brett Hill, a firefighter/paramedic in Southern California, began the project after hearing these four words spoken from an FDNY firefighter to an LAFD firefighter at Ground Zero: “Please Don’t Forget Us.”

Even after 10 years have passed since this tragic day, Hill believes 9/11 is a significant part of firefighting history and we owe it to our fallen heroes to never forget. The patches carry on the memory of our fallen brothers, and they remind us all of what we may be called upon to do. To participate and order the 9/11 Tribute Patches & Decals for your organization, please visit http://9-11patchproject.org/order.html.

Learn more about the 9/11 Patch Project at http://9-11patchproject.org.

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