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Dear Presidents,
I am writing you today to ask for your help with a project that is near and
dear to our local's heart; the HeroToHero T-shirt campaign.
In 2003, a military mom in Washington State approached a Fort Lewis,
Washington Soldier and asked how it felt to be a hero. He replied that he
was not a hero, just doing his job. To him, the heroes were the first
responders back home taking care of his family while he was away. He said
if he wasn't focused he might not return - they let him focus, knowing his
loved ones were safe. Following up, she asked the same question of a
Lakewood, WA firefighter who responded instantly that he was no hero, just
doing his job. He followed up that the true heroes were the ones putting
their life on the line in the sand since 9-11.
After those conversations, the military mom, Liz Jackson, created the
HeroToHero program. The HeroToHero program has first responders 'taking
the
shirts off their backs', signing them and then Liz sends them to troops
overseas. Once they get overseas, personnel and units trade amongst each
other in an attempt to find their hometown. The shirts have been worn,
used
as flags, pillowcases or simply hung up in barracks. This is neither a
pro-war nor an anti-war campaign. It isn't about war at all... it is
purely
a campaign of morale. As their moto says, "Troops don't choose their
battles any more than firefighters or police."
For 2004, Liz did not sit back and wait for the shirts to come in, she and
her son, who was headed overseas with the Air Force, made a 55 city, 30 day,
10,000 mile circuit taking her campaign to the firehouses, police stations
and rescue squad stations all around the United States; spreading the word
and collecting shirts. It was such a success that Liz dedicated to make
the
trip every year that troops were deployed, plus one year.
In 2006, after hearing of the campaign from the IAFF, we contacted Liz and
asked to be included in the nationwide tour. Liz graciously accepted our
invitation, made the stop and our love affair with HeroToHero was born.
Photos from the 2006 visit here:
http://journals.aol.com/h2hheroes/herotohero/entries/2006/06/01/fairfax-co-...-now-were-talkin/1935
She had such a great time that she came back
through in 2007, where she took the campaign to Engine 16, Tower 3 in
Washington, D.C.
A couple months ago, Liz received some upsetting news from her doctor.
Due
to medical issues, the 2008 circuit had to be cancelled. This news
devastated Liz, not because she cannot make the trip, but because she knew
that a majority of the shirts come from those who know nothing about the
program until she pulls into town and the first responders become infected
by her enthusiasm and sold on the program.
To offset the decrease in shirts, Local 2068 is putting together a D.C. Area
campaign that will, if all goes well, culminate in a large press event
Memorial Day weekend to present the shirts to HeroToHero.
I hope I can count on your local taking part in this campaign for the morale
of our overseas troops, some of which are even our members!
If you should have any questions about the campaign, please do not hesitate
to contact my Communications Director, Joel Kobersteen, who has coordinated
all the HeroToHero visits since we began hosting them. Joel can be reached
by e-mail at
JKobersteen@fairfaxfirefighers.org or by phone at 571-437-4031.
Thank you for your help, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Fraternally,
John Niemiec
President