#americantributeflag

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Today our brothers honored our fallen on 9.11.2001 and our foundation through their memorial ceremony held in Mexico. We are grateful for such great brothers around the globe, here our American Tribute Flag  at PROTECCION CIVIL Y BOMBEROS DE YAHUALICA DE GONZALES GALLLO JALISCO

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The poster at Ladder 10 NYC, made by our dear friend and artist Keith Di Cesaré, who also created our American Tribute Flag.

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Today I wanted to talk to you about a foundation I have partnered with for a good cause. I have always wanted to create a foundation in which I could help out other people, make a difference. The thing is, with everything I have going on, I would never have time to dedicate to my foundation thus, it will have to wait a little. Someday I’ll do it. But, for now, I can work with other great ones out there. 

verything happened out of the blue but I’m glad it happened. I met Monica through a friend (and by meeting I mean, text and email) and we instantly connected. I felt like when she spoke (typed) she was speaking from her heart and she meant everything she said. Well, Monica is the wife of the co-founder of the Gear Up Foundation. Gear Up is a foundation dedicated to all who served this country on 9/11. Vincent Forras (Monica’s husband) was a volunteer first responder that day of Sept. 11, 2001 and during all the chaos that day, he lost his group and was stuck beneath all the mess.Vincent felt he was dying, he was ready to go but then something inside him made him feel like he could get out of there. He had a vision of his 3 children and said he could even smell them, so he asked God to please let him get up and be save. Vincent promised he would get out of there and dedicate his life to everyone that had served USA. And so, he did. 

Vincent is the co-founder of Gear Up Foundation and their mission is to Honor those who perished on 9/11/2001 and those who continue to suffer and die because of illnesses sustained at Ground Zero.

“To act as ambassadors of goodwill, exemplified by the passion, bravery, and brotherhood of firefighters, as we provide fire fighting equipment, gear, and training to departments in need worldwide bringing our world together because of the attacks on 9/11 rather than tearing us apart as the terrorists had dreamed.”

I feel so happy and honored to be working with them to raise awareness about what’s happening out there. There’s good and there’s bad in the world, I know that, I have seen that but somehow the bad always stay with us longer. 9/11 didn’t end on 9/11/2011, it is still happening and there’s organizations out there that want to make a difference, I hope you’d want to make a difference too.

Xo, Belen

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We headed to Dominican Republic for a special memorial ceremony held in Santiago and hosted by Marcello Francisco in charge of de Fire Department from the board of the citizen safety, of Liga Municipal Dominicana in Villa González Fire Department, Santiago province of the Dominican Republic . At that event we remembered 9/11 plus 20 and also Awarded Lucas Silverio posthumously who had the heart of a firefighter but was an every day citizen who died saving a young girl from a fire in NYC. His family attended our ceremony and was honored by Gear Up with a special award received by his mom Mercedes de Silverio. Chiefs representing (20) departments participated at the 9/11 ceremony. All were awarded our American Tribute flag which they promised to honor at their stations. Our flag was raised at the ceremony. #americantributeflag #unitingourworld #uniendonuestromundo (at Villa González República Dominica) https://www.instagram.com/p/CT_PVQlMhlS/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Today at the Navy Yatch Club, in Guayaquil-Ecuador The World Peace Committee CEO Bishop Jorge Acuña delivered the “Ambassador of peace” recognition to our founder Vincent Forrás. The other recipient of the night was the Gral Tannya Varela, Commander of the National Police of Ecuador. Many local authorities and peace leaders attended. A Shuar representative delivered special earrings to the Gear Up Co-founder Monica Carrera. The violinist Aaron Montiel played for the guest two songs as a highlight of the night.

Hoy es n el Yatch Club de la Marina, en Guayaquil-Ecuador, el presidente del comité mundial de La Paz, Obispo Jorge Acuña entregó el reconocimiento del título de Embajador de La Paz a nuestro fundador Vincent Forrás. Muchas autoridades atendieron este evento. Una representante de la etnia Shuar entregó unos aretes a la co-fundadora de Gear Up Monica Carrera. El joven violinista Aaron Montiel echó brillo la velada con dos temas musicales.

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20th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial ceremony hosted by Governor Vicente Taiano at the Governors Palace for Gear Up Foundation. Thanks to Dole, and @menticolec for being there for us. #americantributeflag #unitingourworld #uniendonuestromundo #911gearupworld #America #firefighters #firefighter_brotherhood ➡️ Hoy en la Gobernación del Guayas se llevó a cabo el Acto de recordación al Vigésimo aniversario del atentado del 11 de septiembre que sufrió los Estados Unidos y provocó la muerte de miles de personas incluyendo 15 ecuatorianos En presencia de las principales autoridades del país, Fundación Gear Up realizó un acto simbólico que permitió continuar con el mensaje de esperanza que han venido compartiendo en la fundación desde hace 20 ańos, además de capacitación, entrenamiento y equipamiento a los bomberos de nuestro país. Además se entregaron reconocimientos a personas que han demostrado su apoyo a la fundación y también humanismo en los momentos más críticos que enfrentó el Ecuador a propósito de la pandemia. Entre ellos, en el primer caso, podemos destacar Vicente Wong, Santiago Landazury, Jorge Saade, Jose Toledo, Andres Acosta y en el segundo caso a Nuestro ex-Vicepresidente Otto Sonnenholzner, Jorge Llerena de fundación manos Ecuador, Verónica Sión, Geoconda Juez, Anita Buljubasich entre otros. El acto estuvo presidido por el gobernador Vicente Taiano Álvarez y el representante del Cónsul de los Estados Unidos, Robert Matton. (at Gobernación De La Provincia del Guayas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTBEgTFL9sK/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Our representatives delivering a plaque to Bruno Zavala CEO at Mall del Sol, recognizing his and their efforts in supporting our much needed Covid Conference on the one year anniversary as we presented first responders and medical representatives a method to combat the virus while protecting the public. Nuestros representantes Bomberos Andrés Troya y Hermes Platón entregando la placa a Bruno Zavala gerente del Mall del Sol, reconociendo su y loa esfuerzos de todo su equipo apoyando la muy necesitada conferencia en preparación y respuesta para el Covid19, en el día que marca el año de aniversario de haber presentado la conferencia a los respondedores en la línea de respuesta inmediata, rescatistas y personal de la salud con los métodos y conocimientos para protegerse y proteger a sus colegas mientras protegen a ciudadanía #americantributeflag #uniendonuestromundo #gearup911 #malldelsol #unitingourworld (at Ridgefield, Connecticut) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMDUjBPhWza/?igshid=1cbyytds9t9n7

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Honoring 9/11

Bullit County Court House.

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Delivering Gear to Colombia

Is our first time around in Colombia, kudos to all the team that make this possible, Ronnie and Ann Naab, Darling Caicedo our representative, Malambo Fire Department’s Fire Chief Marlen Narvaez and Antonio Correa.

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9/11 Memorial Mass at Mall del Sol.

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Our 9/11 Memorial Mass, Saint Isabel Chapel, Mall del Sol, Guayaquil, Ecuador  https://youtu.be/jElQvkL4158

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Cooperation with brothers in Mexico continues to be a blessing. All donations in his truck courtesy of GUPF #americantributeflag #unitingourworld

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American Veterans Ball, Fredericksburg, VA 2017

Message from Gear Up Foundation Founder, Vincent Forras to the all patriotic Americans, our brothers at AVB and warriors. At the event, we will  be presenting our very exclusive American Tribute Flags, to V.I.P.s 

DESCRIPTION of Event,

The goal of the AVB is to CONNECT our PAST and PRESENT military veterans to our nation’s next generation and FUTURE leaders of America while keeping them TRUE to the Red, White, & Blue. It will also serve and provide veterans of “ALL” the Armed Forces the opportunity to participate in a customary annual event comparable to those of our active service components. The most common denominator that the AVB Founders discovered was that once service members’ transitioned out of their respective branches of service, they experienced a disconnection to these types of traditional comradeship events. Yet, despite of this disconnection many find themselves living out the core values and way of life, as “civilians”, post their active service contribution. We believe that an event such as the AVB, not only fosters a way to contribute towards youth development and communities, but also creates that pathway to reignite, connect with, and maintain our patriotism with our fellow brothers and sisters through this unique event for years to come. Please join us in celebration in Saluting our past, present, and future Veterans. This event is open to ALL veterans, guest, civilian supporting arms, and the general public. Secure your tickets NOW! A minimum pledge of $75.00 is requested to attend. Table of 10 priced at $1500, and sponsorship levels range from $2,500 to $10,000. Pledge your commitment NOW and support our patriotic effort! For more information vist us at: For more information vist us: http://americanveteransball.org/

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Gear Up USA team, made the news while helping the brothers in Mexico.

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Gear Up Documentary by James Sappione

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Gear Up Foundation, the 15th Anniversary 2016.

As a first responder at Ground Zero, Vincent Forras is lucky to be alive. In his wife, Monica, he’s lucky to have found a soul mate. And, while, it’s not all been easy for him since that fateful day, this great big bear of a man has continued to do the only thing he knows how to do: Give. And through his Gear Up Foundation (located in South Salem) that’s exactly what he’s done – not just for the United States, but in 16 countries and counting.