I was heading into work on 9/11/01 and stopped for coffee at Valentine Coffee Shop in Duncanville, TX. A TV set was on in the back and someone working said one of the twin towers in NYC was just hit by something, maybe a plane. I went around to see and another plane hit the south tower. I was horrified at what I saw and imagined something was wrong. Going to work and watching the news and seeing the Pentagon getting hit as well as the news of the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania was one of the worst days ever. No one got any work done and we were allowed to leave early. Watching the news that night was misery. Early the next morning before work I imagined a design I just had to get down on paper or computer. I went to my computer and designed the Pentagon shape first, then the twin towers. inside with the date 9.11.01 with the towers making top the "11". I added a solid black band across the middle for the fallen and the words "Remember". Then below that I added some stars and striped but was wondering just how many stars to add and if it got shrunk down, could anyone see the stars? It all came together fairly quickly. I sent it to my inner circle of friends thru email and from there it spread. It was viral before there was even such a word.
My brother Joe, on September 14, 2001 sent out a PR Newswire with my logo attached and from there it started. I wanted to make sure that first of all my symbol was free and to be used for charitable causes only. Profiting off the fallen was tasteless and disrespectful. I wanted to help and was about to get help from all over the country.
To date, my 9/11 Remember symbol has helped raise over $3 million dollars for 9/11 related relief from a global effort selling patches, pins, shirts, hats, stickers, license plates and overall donations. I have accepted zero money.
ONLINE STICKERS FOR SALE
StickerLion.com
ETSY STICKERS FOR SALE
First logo designed on 9/12/01
From a vision I had came this symbol. I actually took a photo in Manhattan of the towers in this exact orientation from years prior. This is Intellectual Copyright from 9/12/01
If you want a sticker, please use one of the 2 links above. I have partnered with AdGraphics/StickerLion.com to have them be one of the exclusive online sellers of my copyrighted logo. All profits to charity!
Thank you Tim Arnold
PR Newswire Press Release 9/14/01
My brother Joe sent out this press release with the logo attached. This was a great avenue for the logo to be viral before that was even a word. Joe followed this up by building a website with the logo and a comment section under Paranteau.com. Earthlink generously let us use the site free for a year.
9/11 Remember Logo Usage Guidelines
Joe and I set out to make this usage guidelines as a way for people to use it and donate to charity. We were seeing heavy traffic through our site and the comment section was filled with people all over the world who wanted to use my image and help in any way possible.
US Copyright VA 2 150-432
The Arlington County PD found the symbol on the left at a makeshift memorial outside the Pentagon and added later the affected cities inside the Pentagon. They also added a thin blue line inside the Pentagon to represent the PD, but that was not the one I chose to use for the US Copyright.
The black signifies the grief and loss of our nation (The Pentagon, the date, and the WTC towers in place of the number 11 in the date).
The white background represents hope of freedom, peace, and healing.
REMEMBER that freedom is worth preserving and that it has never been won without loss. We remember our friends, our co-workers, spouses, rescuers, children, business partners, military and government officials, visitors to New York and our nation. We will never forget our fallen heroes.
The flag is our national emblem and represents the highest ideals of individual liberty, justice, and equal opportunity for all. These ideals will help our nation cope with this tragedy.
Tim Ellis and Sean Sparks involvement - Syracuse, New York
Tim and I grew up together in the small town of Howlett Hill, NY. When he saw what I designed he asked to sell helmet stickers to be placed on firefighting helmets to show support and use the money for charitable causes. With the help of friend and fellow firefighter Sean Sparks, those 2 really got the ball rolling and were amazed to see how well the logo was received and selling. See the email threads for updates.
Tim got some stickers made for the fire apparatus at his station in North Syracuse. Soon more FD stations would have this on their apparatus as well. Upstate NY Proud!
Capt. Kevin Reardon, the Arlington County PD and the Arlington911race.com involvement
Capt. Kevin Reardon somehow tracked me down in mid September, 2001 and stated that they found my logo and were using it for charity relief. I obliged and helped them in any ways I could. They have been the single largest influence on my symbol and I consider all in the Commonwealth of Virginia as well as Arlington County PD friends. On the 1st anniversary of 9/11, the Police Association flew me up to be the honorary starter of their 5K race in Arlington County that made a loop around the Pentagon and adding area. To date this race has contributed $800k to 9/11 charitable relief. The photo above is of some glass art at PD HQ and of me and Kevin.
That is me on top of the ladder truck in white polo shirt with the horn for starting the 5k race. My friend Chris Martin, who was a significant help for 9/11 charitable relief, is the bald guy in yellow polo with camera lower right.
Some 9/11 race merchandise for sale. Proceeds to charity
Its pretty awesome to see my symbol on this!
Vincent Rotundo and Del. Robert Hull (D) Involvement - Falls Church, Virginia
This is the original email Vince sent me back in 2002. Vince and I would work together over a few months designing plates for US States. Vince and I would chat a few times and I enjoyed our talks. Vince Rotunda was laid to rest on May 13, 2005. He was the driving force for all the US Plates and although I never personally got to meet him, I believe I knew him as a great person and patriot. A few years later while crossing through Virginia, I was able to visit his widow and pick up any 9/11 Remember Logo license plate materials Vince left behind. Thank you Vince, you will be remembered!
Delegate R. Hull worked with Vince and sponsored the bill into the Virginia law for use on license plates. I would later meet Robert Hull in Texas for the unveiling of the Texas Fight Terrorism plates in 2003.
Thanks to Vincent and Robert Hull, Virginia is the first US State to adopt my 9/11 Remember Logo on a license plate. It would be the fastest selling specialty license plate in Virginia history.
Mrs. Cheri Burlingame, widow of Charles Burlingame III, Capt. of American Airlines flight 77, which was hijacked and crashed into the Pentagon on 9/11/01. Mrs. Burlingame was presented with a special Virginia "Fight Terrorism" license plate in front of the Pentagon where the plate was unveiled on July 2,2002
ABC news online article
...and I received one as well!
I was honored and humbled to receive this from the Commonwealth of Virginia, House Joint Resolution 914
Vince Totundo holding the "Fight Terrorism" Virginia License for motorcycles
Vince unveiling the Virginia license plates
...and now we got some motorcycle plates!
USA Today article from 2002
Vince was great on sending me clippings from various area newspapers
My home state of Texas finally takes notice and writes a good article that was in a supplement section of the Dallas Morning News paper. The sign behind me was generously made by Bob Arnold of Hunters Manufacturing.
Vincent Rotundo Obituary 5.13.05
I will miss my friend and supporter
Connie Stephens and the Missouri Fight Terrorism license plates
Connie is the sister of Mrs. Cheri Burlingame, widow of Charles Burlingame III, Capt. of American Airlines flight 77, which was hijacked and crashed into the Pentagon on 9/11/01.
Unveiling of the plates in Missouri.
Left to right: Vincent Rotundo-creator of license plates, Mrs. Vincent Rotundo, Mrs. Connie Stephens-plate sponsor, Security guard, Senator Harold Caskey-drafter of legislation, Missouri Governor Bob Holden
Great article from the Missourian about the plates
a few great letters I received from Missouri
State of Texas Fight Terrorism License plate unveiling 9/11/03
Thanks to my Uncle Randy Crim of Lake Jackson, TX, we were finally able to get my symbol on Texas License plates. Randy is 3rd from left. Others in photo include Rep. Dennis Bonnen, Del. Bob Hull, Beth Journey, Donald Payne, Janet Paranteau, Matt Sebesta and others
A few clippings from area newspapers
Received a great thanks from Rep. Dennis Bonnen and the State of Texas
USS Arlington - San Antonio class LPD 24
How cool is it to have my symbol adorned on a US Navy ship. Capt. Kevin Reardon was available for the ship commissioning in 2011 and sent me a program as well as these photos and a cool challenge coin.
Northrop Grumman Photos
In honor of the men and women who lost their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on the Pentagon, Ship Sponsor Joyce Rumsfeld (right), wife of former Secretary of Defense, Donald H. Rumsfeld, delivers a powerful blow, christening Arlington (LPD 24) at Northrop Grumman Shipbuildings Pascagoula facility Saturday, March 26. Bearing witness to the historical event are (left to right) Jim Schwartz, Arlington County Fire Chief and a 9/11 first responder Irwin F. Edenzon, vice president and general manager, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding - Gulf Coast and U.S. Navy Cmdr. Darren W. Nelson, the ships prospective commanding officer.
US Marine Corps photo
Richmond, VA Busch Series race - Jamie McMurrays "Heroes of 2001" #27 car - 9/6/2002
Capt. Kevin Reardon attended this race and was able to put my 9/11 Remember sticker on the "B" pillar on this beautiful car. Jamie finished 2nd!
Various photos, clippings and emails
Article from INC. Magazine
A sticker and lapel pin sitting behind Tom Sellecks character on the CBS show "Blue Bloods". Not sure how it got here or who sent it, but a few years ago before Tom Select left the show, I tried to inquire getting a signed photo of Tom and the cast with my logo. I didn't hear anything back. Oh well.
There have been a few of these I hear, this is the only tattoo photo I got from someone
Sent to me from Afghanistan. Placed on an A10 Warthog. Not sure about that bird on the Pentagon but overall this plane could do some serious damage.
Speaking of damage, how about the recipient of this gift? Neal McCoy, 1998 and 1998 Country Music Entertainer of the Year, went on a few USO tours overseas and he was able to take about a hundred or so of these stickers I gave him to pass out to the troops. He was more than gracious and thanks to my cousin Donny Parenteau (Neils fiddle player) for making this happen.
Here is Neal surrounded by US troops in Iraq
Quilt by Beth Terrell
On 9/11/20, I received an email blast from LacrosseUnlimited.com with a beautiful photo of this lacrosse head and my 9/11 symbol. I contacted them and immediately received a call from David DeSimone (Sr.VP) and he offered to send it to me to display with my other 9/11 Remember logo memorabilia. I am so appreciative of this gesture and it is displayed proudly on my wall.
I was asked by the Asst. US Surgeon General if she could use my design on some challenge coins. She worked closely with those affected directly with the Twin Towers in NYC. Her and her staff were a pleasure to work with.
This email made me cry from SSgt Iris Levenson
email from Bill Warwick - Lockheed Martin
MLB Tampa Bay Devil Rays game 9/11/02 vs. Boston Red Sox
Asking for logo use for Tampa Bay Devil Rays 2002. Jason was kind to send me the visa from the game on VHS.
Bead art!
From Us Army Corp. of Engineers HQ
From Dept. of Dense Supply Depot - Tracy, CA
9/11 Memorial Stairclimb - Dallas, TX (2011 and 2012)
2011- Back when I was a volunteer for Fairview FD, we had several guys complete the Dallas, TX version of the WTC stairclimb. They climbed the 56 story Renaissance Towers twice. We're standing in front of the sign Bob Arnold made and brought up to Dallas for the event.
Cool shot of Dallas FD ladder truck in front of Renaissance Tower with the 9/11 sign.
Thats my son Cole, at 4 standing in front of the sign
2012 - I climbed with my fellow FD brothers from Fairview FD. We all climbed for someone that lost on 9/11. I climbed for a brother from the FDNY. I did not fail and made it 110 floors with all gear plus SCBA. I burned over 3000 calories under 2 hours. Im seated on the left of this pic...somewhere.
Randy Crim and Lake Jackson, Texas
My grandmother Margaret Isgar (Parker) from Jordan, NY and Randys Mother, Winifred (Daisy) were sisters. My grandmother lived for 105 years and my Aunt Daisy 90. Randy was a huge supporter right from the start and helped get the Texas 9/11 Fight Terrorism license plates signed into law. Randy was also a Sargent/Detective with the Lake Jackson PD until he transferred to be a Fire Marshal. Randy has sent me several hundred stickers over the years and I can't thank Randy enough for all his support over the years. A true Patriot, brother and relative!
A beautiful tribute on 9/11. Photo courtesy of Randy Crim
Letter Randy wrote to me asking for permission to put a new sign in from of Lake Jackson Fire Station 1 with my 9/11 design on the back of the sign.
Sign being installed
Photo courtesy of Randy Crim
Randy presenting me with a commemorative Virginia plate at the Texas 9/11 Fight Terrorism license plate unveiling
Randy Crim and Rep. Dennis Bonnen holding a sticker and challenge coin. Rep. Bonnen at the time was the Texas Speaker of the House.
Front and back of challenge coins Randy had made for lake Jackson
Randy and his wife Lauren, visited Flight 93 site in Somerset County, Pennsylvania and left a sticker and challenge coin to the curator.
Flight 93 Memorial
Screenshots from 2021 Army/Navy game at MetLife Field, East Rutherford, NJ
THANK YOU SECTION
First of all I thank God for giving me this ability to share my talents with the world and do something meaningful with my life. This is a passion project of mine and I hold this symbol and what it means very close to my heart. I spent 17 years in the Fire Service in New York and Texas and consider all firefighters my brothers and sisters. I thank my wife Janet and son Cole as well for supporting me over the years with this. My brother Joe was there at the onset with his news release and building the website www.Paranteau.com that we used for a few years courtesy of Earthlink.com. Thank you also my late mother Betsy Paranteau (Isgar), sister Margret Roosevelt and father Cal Paranteau.
Big thanks to my attorney and friend, James Creedon (creedon.com) for helping me receive US Copyright. James was a medic for FDNY on 9/11/01 and was sent to ground zero where he survived the south tower fall.
Joe Paranteau
Tim Ellis
Sean Sparks
Wayne Childs
Mark Childs
Jeff Bristol
Robby Chapin
Chris Martin
Randy Crim
Lee Scott
James Scott
Kevin Reardon
Vincent Rotundo
Connie Stephens
Robert Hull
Dennis Bonnen
Neal McCoy
Chris Isgar
Fred Isgar
Doug Reeves
Tim Arnold
Arlington County PD, VA
Arlington County FD, VA
North Syracuse FD, NY
Taunton FD, NY
Howlett Hill FD, NY
Fairmount FD, NY
Lake Jackson FD, TX
Lake Jackson PD, TX
McKinney FD, TX
Fairview FD, TX
Commonwealth of Virginia
State of Missouri
State of Texas
MLB - Tampa Bay Rays, FL
US Dept. of Defense
US Navy
Arlington911race.com
VANS Air Force
StickerLion.com
9/11 REMEMBER LOGO IMAGE CONTRIBUTIONS ARE APPRECIATED AND CAN BE SENT TO DSPARANTEAU@GMAIL.COM
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IF YOU KNOW ANY STATE POLITICIANS AND WOULD LIKE MY 9/11 REMEMBER LOGO ON YOUR STATES LICENSE PLATES, PLEASE CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AT ABOVE EMAIL OR AT 208-571-6380
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IF YOU FIND SOMEONE USING THIS IMAGE, ASK THEM IF THEY ARE DONATING THE PROCEEDS. I FIND MOST PEOPLE ARE DOING JUST WORK BUT OTHERS ARE PROFITING OFF THE FALLEN AND WILL BE PROSECUTED AGAINST MY COPYRIGHT.