Please help make 9/11 become a "Recognition Day" for your city's First Call Responders and here is how you can do it.

There are two different ways you can go about it:

1) You need to call either City Hall, City Manager/Administrator and ask when is their next City Council Meeting.

You tell them what you would like to do. (I would like to ask if they would pass a Resolution making 9/11 a "Recognition Day" for our city's First Call Responders and tell them why).

At this time they should let you know whether or not you need to let them know a head of time if you want to address the City Council about this issue.

They might even ask if you would give them something in writing a head of time about your issue and if you would like to give a copy to each Council member. I have three copies of Resolutions by three different cities that you can copy and paste from the TAA web site. Click on "About TAA" from the menu bar and scroll down the right side of the page and you will see them.

Then go to the City Council Meeting and present it.

If they do not pass the Resolution at their next City Council Meeting you might call the Mayor or City Manager/Administrator and ask them if there was a problem.

2) Contact your city's City Manager/Administrator's office (Copy/Paste to a .txt or .doc file with the sample resolutions, as shown in the right-hand column on the "About TAA" page of the TAA web site) requesting the Mayor and the City Council to pass a Resolution making 9/11 a "Recognition Day" for their City's First Call Responders.

Once approved and accepted, have the Manager/Administrator contact you when the next City Council Meeting will be in session so you may be there.

In all likelihood, you may be requested a 2-3 minute slot to elaborate on Torches Across America's cross-country motorcycle ride and it's concept behind making 9-11 a Recognition Day for all FIRST CALL RESPONDERS.

The first way of going about it is the way I do it. The second way is how Les Knauer does it.

This could be part of your write up for wanting to make 9/11 a "Recognition Day" for First Call Responders.

September 11, 2001 was a very sad day in America and they say in times like this something good always happens. They were right because America was super proud of its First Call Responders. On that day we saw how dedicated they were in putting their lives and families aside just to save us.

If we cannot put one day aside on our calendar just to say "Thank You" to them I feel sorry for us as a country. We do not deserve this type of loyalty from people that are willing to give up their life and families just to save us.

We have Armed Forces Day for all the members of our Armed Forces who put their lives and families aside to protect us so why do we not have a recognition day for our First Call Responders?

By making 9/11 a "Recognition Day" for them also adds pride to their family and children. I cannot count how many times I have heard or read about a First Call Responder dying in the line of duty that left behind one or more children. So is not one day on our calender to say "Thank You" to their father or mother worth anything to us. Their loved ones need to know we will always be great full for the sacrifices they give to us

Go to one of your Cities, City Council Meetings and ask them to pass a Resolution Proclaiming 9/11 to be a "Recognition Day" for the Cities, First Call Responders.

Remember you are asking them to pass a Resolution making 9/11 become a "Recognition Day" for their city's First Call Responders (key word here is Resolution ). If they just do a Proclamation it is just for that one day of that year so the next year you have to ask them to do it all over again . If they pass a Resolution it is permanent from that day forward.

Here are some copies of Resolutions that have already been passed by three cities Proclaiming 9/11 to be a "Recognition Day" for their First Call Responders.

When going to your Cities, City Council Meeting be sure to take a copy of these Resolutions with you, for they have something to go by when drafting their Resolution.


This is a copy of the Resolution passed by the City of Kingman, Arizona.

CITY OF KINGMAN, ARIZONA
RESOLUTION NO. 4073
A RESOLUTION BY THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KINGMAN, ARIZONA; PROCLAIMING SEPTEMBER 11 OF EVERY YEAR TO BE ““RECOGNITION DAY”” FOR ALL FIRST CALL RESPONDERS

WHEREAS, the terrorist attack on the United States September 11, 2001 claimed the lives of hundreds of fire fighters, law enforcement officers and EMS personnel;

WHEREAS, First Call Responders - including Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters and Emergency Medical Services personnel –– have continued to provide a high level of public service to communities across the nation;

WHEREAS, these unsung heroes are deserving of recognition for their commitment and personal sacrifice; and for preserving the peace and well being of all humanity;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, beginning in 2005, September 11th will be known as ““Recognition Day”” to honor all of the brave men and women who daily put their lives on the line as First Call Responders.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Kingman, Arizona, on January 18, 2005.
APPROVED:
ATTEST:
_________________________________ _____________________________
Toni Weddle, City Clerk Monica Gates, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________________
Robert A. Taylor, City Attorney


This is a copy of the Resolution passed by the City of Kimberling City, Missouri.

Bill No. 568 Resolution 220

A RESOLUTION BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF KIMBERLING
CITY, MISSOURI; PROCLAIMING SEPTEMBER 11 OF EVERY YEAR TO BE
"RECOGNITION DAY" FOR ALL FIRST CALL RESPONDERS"

WHEREAS, the terrorist attack on the United States September 11, 2001 claimed the lives of hundreds of fire fighters, law enforcement officers and EMS personnel;

WHEREAS, First Call Responders - including Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters and Emergency Medical Services personnel - have continued to provide a high level of public service to communities across the nation;

WHEREAS, these unsung heroes are deserving of recognition for their commitment and
personal sacrifice; and for preserving the peace and well being of all humanity;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, beginning in 2005, September 11th will be known
as "Recognition Day" to honor all of the brave men and women who daily put their lives on the line as First Call Responders.

PASSED and APPROVED by the Board of Aldermen of the City of Kimberling City, Missouri
this 15th day of February, 2005.

This is a copy of the Resolution passed by the City of Hollister, Missouri.

RESOLUTION NO. 05-0 I

A RESOLUTION BY THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE
CITY OF HOLLISTER, MISSOURI; PROCLAIMING SEPTEMBER 11th OF
EVERY YEAR TO BE "RECOGNITION DAY" FOR ALL FIRST CALL
RESPONDERS.

RECOGNITION DAY
WHEREAS, the terrorist attack on the United States September II, 200 I claimed the
lives of hundreds office fighters. law enforcement officers, and EMS personnel;

WHEREAS, First Call Responders - including Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters, and
Emergency Medical Services personnel - have continued to provide a high level of
public services to communities across the nation;

WHEREAS, these unsung heroes are deserving of recognition for their commitment and personal sacrifice; and for preserving the peace and well being of all humanity;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, beginning in 2005, September II tb will be
known as "Recognition Day" to honor all of the brave men and women who daily put
their lives on the line as First Call Responders.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of
Hollister, Missouri this 3rd day of March, 2005.

David G. Tate, Mayor

ATTEST:

S Brashear, City Clerk

2006 Torches Across America letter to all Motorcycle Clubs and Organization

Torches Across America 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride


Torches Across America 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride is a coast to coast ride starting September 2, 2006 at Kennedy’s Custom Cycles in Oceanside, California and riding into NYC on September 9th, Washington DC on September 10th and Shanksville, Pennsylvania on 9/11.

Our mission is to remember the Victims of September 11, 2001, Honor our Heroes “First Call Responders” (they showed us how dedicated they are to helping save our lives on 9/11) and show support for our Armed Forces (who are still in combat because of what happened on 9/11).

There is no registration fee to be on the ride. Riders do have to pay for their own expenses while on the ride. We are invited guest of the “9/11 Memorial Run on September 9, 2006 and there is a registration fee. The money goes to help pay the tolls and the rest goes to a couple of charities. Last year the fee was $20.00 a bike.

Riders can ride with us for the whole trip a day or just a few miles. Riders are also welcome to join us at any of the stops we make.

We do need riders to send us something telling us when, where and how long they are going to ride. You can do this by going to the www.torchesacrossamerica.com web site and in several different areas you will see (TAA’s Ride Sign-UP and/or Inquiry Form), or by writing Torches Across America, P.O. Box 531, Kimberling City, MO 65686. This way I can let our hosts a long the way know how many riders to expect.

There was some unfinished business after 9/11 and that was some of out First Call Responders across the United States thought 9/11 would become a National Recognition Day for them. Well it never came about. So our goal for the pass two years has been set on trying to make this happen for them.

Last year we were able to get these cities and one state to Proclaim 9/11 a special day for their First Call Responders. With the help of the motorcycle community maybe this list will grow in 2006.

Kingman, Arizona Mayor, Monica Gates, Proclaimed beginning 2005, September 11th will be known as "Recognition Day" in Kingman, to honor all of the brave men an women who daily put their lives on the line as First Call Responders.

Oceanside, California Mayor, Jim Wood, Proclaimed from this day forward (September 11, 2005) September 11th shall be know as "First Call Responders Day" in the City of Oceanside.

Kimberling City, Missouri Mayor, Gary P. Conway, Proclaimed beginning 2005, September 11th will be known as "Recognition Day" in Kimberling City, to honor all of the brave men an women who daily put their lives on the line as First Call Responders.

Hollister, Missouri Mayor, Dave G. Tate, Proclaimed beginning 2005, September 11th will be known as "Recognition Day" in Hollister, to honor all of the brave men an women who daily put their lives on the line as First Call Responders.

The City Council of Branson West, Missouri. I do not have a copy of the their Proclamation but they did make September 11th from now "Recognition Day" for their First Call Responders in Branson West.

The Council of the City of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Proclaimed beginning 2005, September 11th shall be known as "First Responders Day" in Albuquerque, to honor all of the brave men an women who daily put their lives on the line as First Call Responders.

Fairborn, Ohio Mayor Thomas H. Nagel, Proclaimed September 11, 2005 as "Recognition Day" in the City of Fairborn, and call upon all citizens to recognize and honor all the brave men an women who daily put their lives on the line as First Call Responders.

Township of Florence, County of Burlington, State of New Jersey, Mayor Michael J. Muchowski, Proclaimed September 11, 2005 as "Responders Recognition Day" in honor of all the brave men an women who daily put their lives on the line as First Call Responders.

Troy, Illinois Mayor Tom Caraker, Sr., Proclaim September 11, 2005 as "First Call Responders Recognition Day" throughout the City of Troy to honor all of the brave men an women who daily put their lives on the line as First Call Responders.

New Mexico Governor, Bill Richardson, Proclaimed September 11, 2005 as "First Call Responders Recognition Day" throughout the State Of New Mexico to honor all of the brave men an women who daily put their lives on the line as First Call Responders.

Here is a copy of the first Proclamation ever making September 11th a Day of Recognition for First Call Responders. It was put together by one of our countries very special Mayor’s and she is Kingman, Arizona Mayor, Monica Gates.

CITY OF KINGMAN, ARIZONA
RESOLUTION NO. 4073

A RESOLUTION BY THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KINGMAN, ARIZONA; PROCLAIMING SEPTEMBER 11 OF EVERY YEAR TO BE ““RECOGNITION DAY”” FOR ALL FIRST CALL RESPONDERS

WHEREAS, the terrorist attack on the United States September 11, 2001 claimed the lives of hundreds of fire fighters, law enforcement officers and EMS personnel;

WHEREAS, First Call Responders - including Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters and Emergency Medical Services personnel –– have continued to provide a high level of public service to communities across the nation;

WHEREAS, these unsung heroes are deserving of recognition for their commitment and personal sacrifice; and for preserving the peace and well being of all humanity;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, beginning in 2005, September 11th will be known as “Recognition Day” to honor all of the brave men and women who daily put their lives on the line as First Call Responders.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Kingman, Arizona, on January 18, 2005.

APPROVED:
ATTEST:
_________________________________ _____________________________
Toni Weddle, City Clerk Monica Gates, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________________

By going to the www.torchesacrossamerica.com you can vote on our web pole either for or against making 9/11 become a “National Recognition Day” for our countries First Call Responders. On our internet poll last year 96.4% of the votes were in favor of making 9/11 become a National Recognition Day for them.

We have Armed Forces Day in our country to show our Armed Forces members how much we appreciate them for offering to put their lives on the line to protect us. So why shouldn’t we have a special day for our First Call Responders, do they not do the same thing.

I personally would like to see 9/11 become a world wide “Recognition Day” for every countries First Call Responders and if riders from all over the world united it could happen.

For more information on the Torches Across America 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride go to web site www.torchesacrossamerica.com . To see about the route click on ‘Route/Updates’ from the home page. We also have a flier you can down load from the web site.

The site is also helpful if your planning a days ride or a trip. Just click on a state you want to travel in from the map of the United States on the home page. You will than see the time and temperature of the major cities in the state. If you scroll down the page there are a few different maps to help map your travels. On the Goggle map you can get like a GPS look at where your going by the satellite map. If you click on the major cities in the state it will even give you more information. I thank Les Knauer for this cool program he has put together.

Even if you can not be a part of the ride you can still be of great help by going to one of your city council meetings and asking them to make September 11th a “Day of Recognition” for your cities First Call Responders.

Make sure it says something like this [beginning ( September 11, 2006) September 11th will be known as “Recognition Day” for our Cities First Call Responders] or [from this day forward (September 11, 2005) September 11th shall be know as "First Call Responders Day" in the City of].

We also could use your help getting this event posted on event calendars so if you have one please post it and if you have any comments on what TAA is about or our goal, by all means let us know.

Have a great day.
Gary Covert