Opening Statements at Boston Logan Airport Hilton

First Officer Todd Wissing (AAL):

On behalf of the whole team, I would like to welcome you to the Americans United Flag Across America. My name is First Officer Todd Wissing and I am proud to stand before you today as we begin our run from coast to coast. In honor of the passengers, crew and others lost in the Sept. 11 attacks, employees from American Airlines, United Airlines, the US Military and now thousands of others will run a US Flag from Boston to Los Angeles.

We begin on October 11, leaving the departure city of Boston, just as Flt. 11 and Flt. 175 did, and we head to LAX—the destination of three of the four aircraft—in order to symbolically “finish the trip” for our fallen comrades. Along the route, we will pass through each state that witnessed the separate tragedies.

But as we look back at our loss we also look forward to our future. With a renewed sense of duty to upholding our freedom and a deep appreciation for our men and women fighting to defend it overseas, we demonstrate our support for our troops with every step we take. Along the way, we hope to raise hopes and assist the families of our fallen heroes.

I would like to introduce First Officer Mike Burr, who, along with a few others, took a symbolic and patriotic idea and made it a reality, in literally a few days time.

First Officer Mike Burr (AAL):

Thanks Todd. It is indeed incredible what has happened in the last week or two. Like many in our country, we in the airlines and the military were hit with two realities simultaneously:

First, we suffered a vicious and cowardly attack that cost us dearly in lives and national grief. But the other side of the equation was that, with the country paralyzed and the new war on terrorism on the horizon, our nation turned to those of us in uniform—the airline crews, military warriors, police, firefighters and emergency response for needed help and leadership. We responded as they expected we would—we got back in the air, packed up for deployment, began the tough fight for a safer nation and rescued the injured.

As I read about Jim Ogonowski’s eulogy for his brother John, who was the Captain of AA Flt. 11, I was struck by his comment that “by hitting American and United, the terrorists really created an ‘America United’.

I thought about that, and decided that there was no better way to show the unity, resolve and determination that characterize or nation than to get the country on the “road to recovery” by getting out on the road, literally waving the flag from seat to shining sea.

We began this effort by setting up a framework for the organization around airline and military members—but this effort is open to all Americans, from all walks of life. We want everyone to visit our web site, see what we’re up to and where we are each day; read the stories we will post online about our experiences. Most importantly, if you want to participate, we still want more runners and corporate sponsors. And we encourage all to go to our web site and make a donation to the funds for the families of those lost.

On Veteran’s Day, November 11, we will stand proudly with this flag on the Pacific Coast. We are collecting patches from each fire department and police department along our route that want to donate these items—these will go with us to the west coast. We would love for all 50 states to send us a state flag so that we can complete the ceremony in Los Angeles as “one nation, under God, indivisible”—an America United.

(informal comments about the flag and certificate from the F-16 squadron who flew it in Iraq)

Thanks to the people of Boston, all agencies that helped us with the organization, the Hilton Hotel-Boston Logan Airport for being such gracious and generous hosts, the mayor of Boston and his staff as well as Governor Swift and her staff for their support and for taking time from her schedule to present this falg for the run across the nation—we hope all other cities and states along our route will follow their fine and supportive example.

I would like to personally thank Gov. John Rowland of CT and his staff, particularly Sherrill, for their help in seeking support from the 19 Governors along our route.

Introduction of Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift