Campaign for National Firefighers Day-Truth!

Email Campaign for National Firefighters Day-Grassroots Project!

Summary of eRumor:
Referring to the work of firefighters on September 11, 2001, this email seeks to have a "National Firefighters Day" designated. Another version suggests the day should be September 11 of each year.

A newer version includes a statement at the beginning of the email from 14-year-old Conner Geraghty who lost his firefighter father at the World Trade Center.

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,

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. (CLICK HERE to see our focus on email petitions.)

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

Some examples of the story as it has been circulated:

Example #1:

Subject: National FireFighters Day

Firefighters from all over have come to the aid and rescue of the
tragedy in New York and Washington, DC 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 who feel the same as I do - - helpless, especially those of
us who live far from NY and DC. 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.
Let's start a petition for a National Firefighters Day. Will you join
me? Please type in the chronological number, your name, city and state
and pass it along. You must copy this message into your
outgoing e-mail in order to add your name.

Thank you.

* When the list reaches 500 please Email to skfcardart@hotmail.com

Example #2

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 . .. please join me.

Let's start a petition for a National Firefighters Day.

Will you help make every September 11th "National Firefighters Day"?

Please join me!

Thank you.

Connor Geraghty, 14
Rockville Centre, NY (I Love u DAD!!)

( When this list reaches 250 names, please send it to me at :

ceg8587@aol.com

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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 and please pass it along.