A LIVING TRIBUTEA LIVING TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO PERISHED ON 9-11 AND THOSE WHO SERVED AND CONTINUE TO DIE

www.gearupfoundation.orgA Federally Cer 01(c)3 Foundation

OFFICE USAP.O.BOX 911South Salem, NY 10590 USAOffice : 631.869.5607Toll Free : 800.601.3493info@gearupfoundation.org

A L L M E N C R E A T E D E Q U A L , A N D T H E N . . . A F E W B E C O M E B R O T H E R S

A LIVING TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO PERISHED ON 9-11 ANDTHOSE WHO SERVED AND CONTINUE TO DIE.

A L L M E N C R E A T E D E Q U A L , A N D T H E N . . . A F E W B E C O M E B R O T H E R S

Gear Up is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization founded by a ground zero firefighter in 2002, dedicated to assisting and providing firefighters and children, in developing countries, with the tools, knowledge and support they need to save lives, as a tribute to those who died on 9-11.

Gear Up is comprised of supporters, firefighters, mentors, victims, families and friends, like you, who share and live its mission and vision every day.

Together we project the most compassionate image of solidarity and generosity by training firefighters, in developing countries, to become certified firemen. Moreover, we provide the tools needed to do the most noble and yet dangerous tasks of all, to save the lives of others.

By joining Gear Up Foundation, you will become a part of “A Living Memorial”, animated by the spirit of the firefighter, but with a mission that is grander in scope, a brotherhood that encourages understanding and harmony through the efforts of our participants and those who support us.By supporting our dreams, you will be helping others in need and saving lives.

By becoming a mentor or a teacher of children and firefighters in developing countries, you will help to heal the pain caused by the events of 9-11.

By funding our programs, you will contribute to a noble cause and become part of the Gear Up family. We truly believe that it is only through helping others that you can help yourself, by giving your time, talent and treasure.

As a statement of purpose and action join Gear Up “A Living Memorial”. Help fight against the injustice of poverty.

With your financial and moral support, you will not only help to deliver equipment and training, but you will give hope to children and firefighters in developing countries.We thank you for your support, friendship and encouragement.

" A LIVING MEMORIAL DEDICATED TO DOING GREAT THINGS THE FIRST AND ONLY "LIVING TRIBUTE” TO THOSE WHO DIED ON 9-11”

A L L M E N C R E A T E D E Q U A L , A N D T H E N . . . A F E W B E C O M E B R O T H E R S

MISSION STATEMENT

VISIONSTATEMENT GOALS

Gear Up is “A Living Memorial” dedicated to doing great deeds around the world in the name of those who perished on 9-11.

Acting as Ambassadors of goodwill spreading hope, harmony and encouraging brotherhood by bringing fire safety education to children along with fire fighting equipment and training to developing countries.Rescue the rescuers both here and around the world by incorporating them into our programs.

Saving, protecting and preserving all forms of life from fire.Establish and support on-going operations that will protect the environment from fire.

To perpetuate “A Living Memorial” by doing great deeds worldwide as a tribute to our loved ones who perished on 9-ll. Providing fire education, training and equipment to children and firefighters in developing countries.

To encourage brotherhood and harmony amongst all peoples and nations through our efforts and those who support us.

Continue saving lives as we act as a catalyst that will illuminate a path to true peace for others to follow exemplified by the bravery, initiative, and passion that is represented by firefighters.

PRESENT:• Helping to heal those wounded first

responders who faced 911 by utilizing their talents within the Gear Up mission.

• To bring information of the ongoing struggles faced by so many first responders into public view.

• Help our wounded warriors who so bravely served after 911 and their families with grants to help pay bills along with scholarships for the children of first responders whose death is directly linked to their Ground Zero service.

• Generating hope for the future in developing countries and fire departments by our actions and support.

LONG TERM:• Expand our mission to developing countries

around the globe.• Build fire academies, in developing

countries, around the world.• Help children, in developing countries,

become better members of their community.

• Enlist corporations worldwide to support our mission.

A LIVING TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO PERISHED ON 9-11 ANDTHOSE WHO SERVED AND CONTINUE TO DIE.

Vincent Forras’ appearance on the Today Show. Ground Zero 9/11/06.

Vincent Forras sitting behindthe medication he must take daily just to stay alive.

Gear Up Foundation standsfor a picture after makinga donation in Ecuador.

Vincent Forras speakingat the New YorkMecantil Exchange

Vincent Forras standing in front of the twisted ruins left afterthe 9/11 attacks.

Gear Up foundation bringingthe world together withThomas VonEssen

Hero program in actionIn Philippines.

Vincent Forras withthe Gear Up Foundation’sUK Ambassadors.

Gear Up Foundation founder Vincent Forras with FireCompany in Ecuador.

Vincent Forras shakinghands with PresidentGeorge W. Bush.

Vincent Forras standingwit retruck Donated toGear Up Foundation.

Vincent Forras andMayor Rudolph Giulianiat Ground Zero.

A L L M E N C R E A T E D E Q U A L , A N D T H E N . . . A F E W B E C O M E B R O T H E R S

A L L M E N C R E A T E D E Q U A L , A N D T H E N . . . A F E W B E C O M E B R O T H E R S

BIRTH OFBROTHERHOOD

The events of September 11, 2001 have proven to be significant in the lives of people everywhere on the face of our planet. In one way or another, every human being was touched, and every life has experienced some effect from the incredible happenings of that day. Most of what we see, as a result, is negative in nature. To think that amid so much death, the birth of great good could occur, redeems our fragile human optimism.

The things I will share with you now are not only positive in nature, but demonstrate one way in which the events of that terrifying day have brought us closer together as the human race. To suggest that a cloud so horrifically dark could possibly contain a glimmer of the “silver lining” is, in itself, a wonderful testimony to the human spirit.

As the dust settled over New York City, and the death toll was reported to include over three hundred brave men and women of New York's finest civil servants, the call for help went out to cities and townships nationwide for volunteers and replacement personnel. Vincent Forras, a South Salem,

NY Volunteer Firefighter for well over a decade in upstate New York, was one of those who put his fellow man above his own safety and reported to “Ground-Zero”.

While in New York City, working as a rescue and recovery volunteer at Ground-Zero, Vincent met Monica Carrera of Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Monica was associated with the Chamber of Commerce in Guayaquil. Six months later, through her efforts and the cooperation of the Chief of the Guayaquil Fire Department, Vincent was invited to recount his experiences to a select group in Guayaquil, Ecuador, which included the Chief and sub-chief of the Guayaquil Fire Department. While in Ecuador, Vincent was given a tour of the country and observed the extremely poor conditions in outlying fire districts.

He observed the lack of firefighting equipment as basic as fire retardant clothing, boots and gloves, and came to realize that the brave firefighters lacked the necessary training to be effective in even the smallest emergency.

Recalling the utter dismay of his brother firefighters as they faced the reality of September 11th with the best trained and best equipped men and women in the entire world, and holding that feeling of complete inadequacy close to his heart, Vincent knew what these men must experience every day

in the face of a common house fire.Also, after seeing the horrible fires on Galapagos Islands and the continual burning of prime natural forest lands for development the Gear-Up Foundation was born.Ecuador is just one country in a continent of people, but it is the country that chose Vincent to share his experience, and in so doing, won his dedication and devotion.Supplying the firefighters of Ecuador, through the Gear-Up Foundation became Vincent Forras's life work and commitment from that day.The vision is not limited to Ecuador, but the first steps were taken there. It is the purpose and goal of Gear-Up, through the partnership of leading firefighters in South America, to train and equip firefighters, bring fire safety education to children, a plan to react to fires in their natural resources and to establish a unilateral “Brotherhood” among emergency service personnel everywhere, in the face of the order of things created by the events of September 11th.

Vinny’s vision includes allowing those firefighters who served during 9/11 events to heal by helping others in need around the world.

A LIVING TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO PERISHED ON 9-11 ANDTHOSE WHO SERVED AND CONTINUE TO DIE.

BY WILLIAM HOOD

Chairman Gear Up FoundationPat Gambaro

President Gear Up Foundation Latin American Director &

Monica Carrera

France

Ricardo Guerrero

Monica Carrera

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