Thanking Those Who Answer the Call: National First Responders Day (October 28)

J. C., October 27, 2021

First responders are the individuals who answer the call when we’re in trouble. Whether there’s a fire in our house or we need police assistance for one reason or another, first responders are there to protect the community. And they do so 24/7/365! So, it’s vital we thank these important individuals every day but especially on National First Responders Day on October 28.

What is National First Responders Day?

National First Responders Day is relatively new on the national event calendar. In fact, this special day started only a few years ago in 2019 when it was passed as a resolution by the United States Senate. Since that time, October 28 has been reserved as a day to celebrate all first responders, including firefighters, police officers, EMTs, paramedics, and all other individuals who are the first to respond when we need help.

This day of honor and appreciation began largely as a result of the advocacy of Andrew Collier. Andrew’s brother Sean was an MIT police officer who was shot and killed in the Boston Marathon bombing aftermath. Andrew wanted to start a movement that would support America’s first responders in honor of Sean. Eventually Washington D.C. senators learned of this movement and National First Responders Day emerged.

How Can We Thank Our First Responders?

There are many ways we can thank our first responders on National First Responders Day. Here are some ways to say thank you to those who answer the call when there’s an emergency at hand:

• Make a Donation: One way to thank first responders is to make a donation. Many local and national first responder organizations accept donations, either for their department or community organizations they support.
• Volunteer: Some first responder organizations need volunteers throughout the year. You can add your name to the volunteer list and lend a hand.
• Write a Letter of Gratitude: You may want to write a letter of gratitude to a first responder you know or the department in general.
• Say Thank You: If you see a first responder when you’re out, and they’re not currently involved in an emergency response call, thank them for all they do for the community.

Show Your Patriotic Pride on National First Responders Day

If you want to show American pride on National First Responders Day, or any other day, let The Flag Shirt help you achieve this goal. Peruse our selection of American-themed apparel and pick out the ideal patriotic outfit for you and your family members. You may even have a special first responder in your life that you’d like to give a patriotic gift to on this day.

Thank you, first responders, for all you do!