Nat'l Firefighters' Day? Do we already have one?

[toadspittle]

I received this chain e-mail today:

> I am reminded everyday as I sit @ home or in my office that the sirens never
> stop. As hard as the firemen and police force are working downtown, it is
> not like NYC stops to await their return. There are still fires and crimes
> to be fought, their job is never ending and they deserve to be acknowledged
> is a very special way. Pat
>
>
> 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 of 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 to a new outgoing
> e-mail in order to add your name.)
>
>
> Thank you.

Seeing as Sept. 9 was National Grandparents’ Day and October 16 will be National Boss Day, I couldn’t believe that we didn’t already have a Firefighters Day.

I found these possibilities:

October 9, by proclamation of Bush Sr. (But that may ONLY apply to Oct. 9, 1991…anyone know if it’s ongoing, or confined to just one year?)

http://bushlibrary.tamu.edu/papers/1991/91100705.html

May 4, which is the feast of St. Florian, the patron saint of firefighters. (But that’s International Firefighters’ Day.)

http://www.futureweb.com.au/edmondson/

What’s the dope? Do we or don’t we already have a Nat’l Firefighters’ Day?

[evilhanz]

I love chain emails! Their writers always do their homework. pffffft.

It’s called the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. The national firefighter’s memorial is located at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD where the ceremony has been held every October 7th for the past 20 years or so. I’m sure that this year’s service will be of particular significance and will undoubtedly receive extensive media coverage. In an average year, about 100 of the 1.2 million active rescue personnel die in the line of duty. You can read about this year’s service at FEMA’s website. President Bush will attend. However, the names of the New York firefighters killed at the WTC will not be added until next year.

The 107th Congress passed a joint resolution on July 10, 2001 (SJ18) which officially recognizes the day of this service (October 7th):

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That each year, the United States flags on all Federal facilities will be lowered to half-staff on the day of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

[KCB615]

Other than the Fallen Firefighters Serivce on the 7th, there is also Fire Prevention Week. This year, its October 7th to the 13th. In reality, its whatever week October 9th falls in. October 9th was the date of the Great Chicago Fire. The week is in memory, so to speak, of that rather significant fire.

As far as I know (and I should know), there is no specific “Firefighters’ Day.” We get a week that recognizes us in a roundabout way, its good enough for us.

Now that I think about it, is there a National Law Enforcement Officers’ Day? I know they have a memorial, but I don’t think there’s a day for them, either.