National Firefighter's Day
WORLDWIDE movements have started with less.
This one began with a computer, a boy, and his powerful desire to honor the father he loved.
Connor Geraghty was searching for a way to channel his grief. His father Edward, 45, a battalion chief for the New York City Fire Department, died while saving lives on Sept. 11.
Connor, 14, who possesses powers of persuasion you could bottle and sell, sat at a friend's computer on Long Island last month, and typed an e-mail.
"Hello, I am Connor Geraghty of Rockville Centre, N.Y.," he began. "I lost my Dad on September 11th.
"Many firefighters lost their lives to save someone else's. They truly are heroes."
Then, Connor made his pitch:
"In honor of the bravery, courage and determination of American firefighters, there should be a day in our nation to celebrate and appreciate their hard work and never-ending passion for saving lives."
Connor proposed establishing a National Firefighters Day, to pay tribute to the men and women who give selflessly each day.
He asked readers to place their names at the bottom of his e-mail petition, and forward the list to friends.
He signed it, "I Love u Dad." Then he hit the send key.
"I didn't expect any response," Connor, a freshman at Kellenberg Memorial Catholic HS, told me.
But the interest was so vast, so intense, it caught Connor off-guard.
"I got responses from Japan, France, from all over Europe and Asia," he said.
More than 4,000 people have signed the petition so far. The best part was "I met people from my dad's firehouse" - Battalion 9, Engine 54 in Manhattan.
Connor's mom, Mary, 41, soon got into the act.
She forwarded the petition to Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, whose son, Kevin, she used to baby-sit.
Yesterday, McCarthy read a tribute to Connor and his father into the Congressional Record.
With national magazines now calling, Connor hopes news of his petition reaches President Bush.
Connor initially wanted Firefighters Day to be held on Sept. 11, but now he thinks that date should be reserved for all sorts of heroes. Firefighters, he firmly believes, deserve another day all their own.
At a memorial service on Oct. 25, Connor's father was promoted to deputy chief. Now Connor, who had wanted to become a doctor, strives to fight fires. Like his dad.
Said his mom, "Those two had such a special relationship.
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It has been six years and we still don't have a National Firefighter's Day. Please help change this. Below is the original email.
Hello, I lost my Dad on September 11th; he was Chief Edward Geraghty, Battalion 9, New York City Fire Department. He lost his life with many other heroes that day, victims of the terrorists. Firefighters from all over have come to the aid and rescue of the tragedy in NewYork and Washington , D.C.
Many firefighters lost their lives to save someone else's. The truth of the matter is, they do this every single day. They truly are heroes.
I know many people feel helpless, especially those who live far from NYC and D.C. We all want to do something to show our appreciation,
our support! I think we can... In honor of the bravery, courage and determination of American firefighters, there should be a day in our nation to celebrate and appreciate their hard-work and never-ending passion for saving lives. I think we should honor all those other heroes who still live today.
I'm starting a petition for a National Firefighters Day. Will you help make every September 11th "National Firefighters Day"? Please join me!
Thank you,
Connor Geraghty, age 14,
Rockville Centre , New York
(I Love U, DAD!!)
WORLDWIDE movements have started with less.
This one began with a computer, a boy, and his powerful desire to honor the father he loved.
Connor Geraghty was searching for a way to channel his grief. His father Edward, 45, a battalion chief for the New York City Fire Department, died while saving lives on Sept. 11.
Connor, 14, who possesses powers of persuasion you could bottle and sell, sat at a friend's computer on Long Island last month, and typed an e-mail.
"Hello, I am Connor Geraghty of Rockville Centre, N.Y.," he began. "I lost my Dad on September 11th.
"Many firefighters lost their lives to save someone else's. They truly are heroes."
Then, Connor made his pitch:
"In honor of the bravery, courage and determination of American firefighters, there should be a day in our nation to celebrate and appreciate their hard work and never-ending passion for saving lives."
Connor proposed establishing a National Firefighters Day, to pay tribute to the men and women who give selflessly each day.
He asked readers to place their names at the bottom of his e-mail petition, and forward the list to friends.
He signed it, "I Love u Dad." Then he hit the send key.
"I didn't expect any response," Connor, a freshman at Kellenberg Memorial Catholic HS, told me.
But the interest was so vast, so intense, it caught Connor off-guard.
"I got responses from Japan, France, from all over Europe and Asia," he said.
More than 4,000 people have signed the petition so far. The best part was "I met people from my dad's firehouse" - Battalion 9, Engine 54 in Manhattan.
Connor's mom, Mary, 41, soon got into the act.
She forwarded the petition to Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, whose son, Kevin, she used to baby-sit.
Yesterday, McCarthy read a tribute to Connor and his father into the Congressional Record.
With national magazines now calling, Connor hopes news of his petition reaches President Bush.
Connor initially wanted Firefighters Day to be held on Sept. 11, but now he thinks that date should be reserved for all sorts of heroes. Firefighters, he firmly believes, deserve another day all their own.
At a memorial service on Oct. 25, Connor's father was promoted to deputy chief. Now Connor, who had wanted to become a doctor, strives to fight fires. Like his dad.
Said his mom, "Those two had such a special relationship.
---------------------------------------------------------
It has been six years and we still don't have a National Firefighter's Day. Please help change this. Below is the original email.
Hello, I lost my Dad on September 11th; he was Chief Edward Geraghty, Battalion 9, New York City Fire Department. He lost his life with many other heroes that day, victims of the terrorists. Firefighters from all over have come to the aid and rescue of the tragedy in NewYork and Washington , D.C.
Many firefighters lost their lives to save someone else's. The truth of the matter is, they do this every single day. They truly are heroes.
I know many people feel helpless, especially those who live far from NYC and D.C. We all want to do something to show our appreciation,
our support! I think we can... In honor of the bravery, courage and determination of American firefighters, there should be a day in our nation to celebrate and appreciate their hard-work and never-ending passion for saving lives. I think we should honor all those other heroes who still live today.
I'm starting a petition for a National Firefighters Day. Will you help make every September 11th "National Firefighters Day"? Please join me!
Thank you,
Connor Geraghty, age 14,
Rockville Centre , New York
(I Love U, DAD!!)
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Strength in numbers!
Of course we should have a national Firefighters day. Or perhaps and National Emergency Response Workers day. Something to recognize all the people that we EXPECT to be there to help us when we are most in need, but probably do very little to support.
Many brave men die in this occupation. I think it would be good for the nation and the bereaved families to have a day on which fire fighters can be remembered and respected.
My husband was a firefighter & captain for 27 years on 2 departments in Northern IL. As a girlfriend & then a wife of a firefighter I've always had a great deal of respect for firefighters & great concern for their safety. Anything that can be done to honor these great heroes is well supported.
Connor: Your caring and persistence are just of few of the traits that your Dad must have instilled in you. There is no question that if your Dad could type the words now, he would say Connor, you make me very proud! Connor, thank you for inspiring so many of us across the nation. Bob McDonough Sugar Land, Texas
My boyfriend is a firefighter in Port Arthur,Tx and has truly been a hero to me and his friends. He has endured and looked in on family members and friends homes during times of Katrina,Rita and now Gustav. He is and will always be a hero to me.
My husband is a local volunteer firefighter and when the page comes out he is there to assist in whatever is needed. His thoughts are not about what may happen but his thoughts are about what needs to be done. He is the local Fire Prevention Officer and when he is out in the community multitude of children are coming up to him and shaking his hand and reminding him to stop drop and roll. My husband may not know who the children are but realizes that he has touched them to remember the safety needed with fire.
Please help make this day happen for all firefighters everywhere.
All of our firemen and Policemen and hospital workers deserve to be honored in so many ways.
I have received, signed and forwarded this petition many times over the past few years but today was the first time I actually researched it on the internet and was shocked to see that only 168 people have signed the actual petition! Perhaps it's time to email the actual link for people to sign instead. My prayers continue to be with and for all of the victims of 911 and the family, friends and loved ones that mourn their loss. God bless America.
An idea from the son of a 9/11 firefighter... This is a 14 year-old boy who lost his father on September 11th. Hello, I lost my Dad on September 11th; he was Chief Edward Geraghty, Battalion 9, New York City Fire Department...In honor of the bravery, courage and determination of American firefighters, there should be a day in our nation to celebrate and appreciate their hard-work and never-ending passion for saving lives. I'm starting a petition for a National Firefighters Day.
Great idea!!!
Just get it done already. It has been a long time comming.
This has been to long in being adopted.
I support the permanent establishment of National Firefighters Day!
AFTER THAT DAY, WE SHOULD HONOR ALL FIREFIGHTERS NATIONWIDE. IF IT WASN'T FOR THEM.....
What a wonderful way to recognize some of the most important people in our country!!
I received an email petition, but I decided to do some researce on this. I decided it was move valuable to sign this on the petition site then to forward an email.
We should have a National Firefighters Day,because on Sept. 11 more firefighters lost there lifes than ever before. They didnt hear the tones go off and say no I dont want to go because I might die, many firefighters lose their lives each year fighting what every american fears! I being a volunteer firefighter have seen many tragedys doing what I love,but nothing can compare with what happened on that day in 2001. So just think of that when you here about this and say who cares.
Great idea! It's about time!
