Petition for National Firefighters Day
Netlore Archive: Email petition urges the proclamation of a National Firefighters Day on 9/11 to honor fallen rescue workers in the wake of the World Trade Center attack
Description: Email petition
Circulating since: October 2001
Status: Authentic (this version)
Email example contributed by Eileen F., Nov. 13, 2001:
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Subject: Firefighters Day Hello, I am Connor Geraghty, of Rockville Centre, NY. 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 hardwork 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! Connor Geraghty, 14 ( When this list reaches 250 names, please send it to me at: ceg8587@aol.com ) |
Comments: While I am still of the opinion that email petitions are inadvisable and mostly useless (for a variety of practical reasons), I'm obliged to report that this one is not only sincere and authentic in origin, but may even have a shot at accomplishing its goal (or perhaps not - see March 2002 update below).
The New York Post confirmed in its November 15, 2001 issue that Connor Geraghty, the 14-year-old son of NYC Fire Department Battalion Chief Edward Geraghty, who died in the rescue effort after the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, launched the petition to honor his father and other firefighters who have lost their lives at Ground Zero.
Due to its rapid worldwide circulation and concomitant media attention, the Post reported, the petition has sparked "an international movement" and won acknowledgement from at least one member of Congress. It's hard to imagine the heartfelt document won't eventually end up on the desk of President George W. Bush himself.
Do note, however, that there are similar petitions in circulation started by other parties, the authenticity of which we cannot vouch for. As a practical matter, citizens who back Connor Geraghty's proposal for a National Firefighters Day are best advised to write directly to the White House or their Congressional representatives and say so.
Update: As of March 2002, readers are reporting that Connor Geraghty's AOL mailbox is full and bouncing emails back to senders with an "Out of Service" error message.
Update: As of July 2002, a new variant is circulating in which the author's name is misspelled "Condor Geraghty."
Sources and further reading:
Hero's Son Issues a Plea Heard 'Round the World
New York Post, 15 Nov 2001Do Email Petitions Work?
Salon.com, 10 May 1999Fwd: Fwd: Re: Read This Now
Mother Jones, March/April 1999The Case of the Pointless Petition
About.com, 27 May 1998
