From the son of a late NYC Firefighter

Subject: From the son of a late NYC Firefighter
From: InOBU
Date: 16 Feb 02 - 12:04 PM

Dear Friends... This was sent to me, please pass it along.
This is from a 14 year old boy who lost his father on Sept. 11th. He's got a really great idea. Thanks!

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 New York and Washington, D.C. Many firefighters have 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, 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 Center, New York (I Love u, DAD!!)

PS When this list reaches 250 names, please send it back to me at [e-mail]. Please copy/paste this e-mail message body into a new e-mail, add the next number with your name, city, state and e-mail (if you want) and please pass it along.

From Truth or Fiction.com: [] The Truth:
This is a grass-roots email effort in petition form. When enough names are collected, it is supposed to be sent to an individual email address. The email address varies from version to version.

Conner Geraghty is real and did issue an appeal in support of National Firefighters Day. We confirmed that with a member of his family. His father was Chief Edward Geraghty, Battalion 9, New York City Fire Department. Although there have been National Firefighters Days proclaimed by the President in various individual years, there is apparently not an annual National Firefighter's Day.

Email petitions are notoriously unsuccessful, so it is not clear what this one may accomplish. But you never know.

If you think the National Firefighters Day is a good idea, it's probably best to write your representatives in congress.

Subject: RE: From the son of a late NYC Firefighter
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 16 Feb 02 - 12:17 PM

I see the new mayor is New York is proposing to cut the number of firefighters in New York by more than the number of them who were killed on September 11th.

A national day in honour of them sounds a good idea. In fact I'd like to see other countries do it, not just the USA.

Subject: RE: From the son of a late NYC Firefighter
From: InOBU
Date: 16 Feb 02 - 12:35 PM

Connor's email box is full, so I think it is best to copy the petition and mail it to your representives in Congress, as the attachment about verification notes. Cheers, Larry

Subject: RE: From the son of a late NYC Firefighter
From: Banjer
Date: 16 Feb 02 - 03:58 PM

Connor has a right fine thought there. Having part of my family in the service of one of our local cities, (brother, Lt at St Petersburg Station 1 and son-in-law, Rescue Diver/Firefighter at St Petersburg Station 11), I applaud his efforts and will copy InOBU's post to send to various representatives.

On the other hand my personal thoughts: Why do we need to set aside a special day for the occasion? We should all be thankful on a daily basis for those that risk their very lives to protect ours. Not just our firefighters, but our law enforcement officers and our military as well. Then include our Dr's and nurses dedicated to keeping us healthy and well and we have a whole lot to be mindful of.

Subject: RE: From the son of a late NYC Firefighter
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 16 Feb 02 - 04:04 PM

Ya.. I'm wioth Banjer

Not that I don' think it's a good idea, but what about the paramedics? The cops? All the people who's JOB it is to protect and serve?

Seems to me, FIREFIGHTERS day excludes a hell of a lot of people who deserve JUST as much recognition...

Doctors and Nurses.. good call that too...

How about teachers? Have you seen the state of highschools these days? They are braver men and women than I am, that's fer certain!

Subject: RE: From the son of a late NYC Firefighter
From: Banjer
Date: 16 Feb 02 - 06:08 PM

There ya go, Clinton includes a group that I hadn't even thought about. Those that teach our young generation what they need to know to carry on our traditions.

I guess this relates directly to a thought I usually get around Christmas time. It seems to me that the ideals of Christmas should be maintained all year round, not just drug out for a few days over the holiday season like decorations only to be put away again for next season. If all practiced what many strive for at Christmas time, think what a wonderful world this could be!!

Probably in a nutshell it would read, 'Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You'....seems that I heard that somewhere in my youth, but like so many others, don't always strive to live up to it.

Let us help the Connors of the world to achieve their dream, which basicaly is what our dream was years ago!

Subject: RE: From the son of a late NYC Firefighter
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 16 Feb 02 - 06:09 PM

Lets get to the point where 365 days a year is EVERBODY DAY!

;-)

Subject: RE: From the son of a late NYC Firefighter
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 16 Feb 02 - 06:28 PM

I would imagine that in the States, whatever the authorities do or don't do, September 11th is going to be a pretty special sort of day for a long long time, and remembering the firefighters, and others who died trying to save lives will be a big part of it.

Subject: RE: From the son of a late NYC Firefighter
From: Amergin
Date: 16 Feb 02 - 06:31 PM

I agree Mcgrath...it would not surprise me at all to find that my birthday becomes a federal (US) holiday...not sure if I like that idea though.....

Subject: RE: From the son of a late NYC Firefighter
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 16 Feb 02 - 06:41 PM

Make it a People's Holiday, and sod the authorities. Show them who's in charge.

Subject: RE: From the son of a late NYC Firefighter
From: Banjer
Date: 16 Feb 02 - 07:22 PM

McGrath says it all...Why do we need offical legislation to remind us to remember those whose sacrifices and efforts make our daily lives easier?

Subject: RE: From the son of a late NYC Firefighter
From: SINSULL
Date: 16 Feb 02 - 09:09 PM

Show up at your local fire station or police station with a batch of fresh baked cookies or some treat from a local bakery. They will appreciate it.