Americans United Flag Across America: Press Release - October 3, 2001
AAmericans United Flag Across America-a cross-country run from Boston to Los Angeles.
Spirit, charity fundraising event by airline employees, military to mirror planned flight paths of AA Flt. #11 & UA #175.
Boston, MA (October 3, 2001)-Employees of American Airlines and United Airlines and military service members will, as a demonstration of American resolve and in support of the September 11, 2001 victims' families, carry a United States flag across the country. This flag was flown over Iraq in the cockpit of a U.S. F-16 in support of Operation Southern Watch on October 2, 2001 by airline pilots flying as part of the 93rd Fighter Squadron, 482 Fighter Wing, Homestead Air Reserve Station, Florida . While the event is intended to be a symbolic effort of support and unity, fundraising proceeds from this event will benefit selected charities in support of the victims of the tragedy on September 11, 2001. The flag will leave Boston on October 11, 2001 with a goal to arrive in Los Angeles on Veteran's Day, November 11, 2001. These cities represent the origination and destination of American Flight 11 and United Flight 175.
The flag will be carried around the clock to achieve this goal. The routing is being developed but will proceed from Boston, through: New York, Washington, Atlanta, Dallas, Oklahoma City, Albuquerque, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. Military service members will be involved as the event nears the vicinity of military installations across the nation.
A web site, http://www.flagrun2001.org, is currently under development and will be open for volunteer information, corporate sponsorship and media contact by October 5, 2001. It will allow site visitors to monitor real-time progress of the event and make contributions to the designated charities.
"This all-volunteer event is a self-initiated effort conducted by the pilots, flight attendants and other employees of United and American Airlines. While the airlines are supportive of the event, the public relations departments of AMR and UAL have no official role-- it is truly a from-the-heart effort from the volunteers in support of the country and the victims,"
said First Officer Todd Wissing, Media Relations Coordinator.
To be associated with the event, corporate sponsors are being sought to contribute their resources and contribute to the success of this event. Cruise America™ has donated the use of a Recreational Vehicle to be used as a mobile command center for the event and to support the runners. Financial assistance to help defray costs or other corporate resources to assist in the event is needed and welcome. Corporate support can be in the areas of communications, T-shirts, local transportation support to help ferry runners, or any other area.
Help will be sought from local officials along the route to ease the process and generate local support. A database of local runners will be needed to cover the distance will be needed especially in those remote areas and at night.
Anyone wishing to sponsor or participate in this event can contact AAmericans United Flag Across America through the web site (http://www.flagrun2001.org). Media contacts are preferred through the web site e-mail (media@flagrun2001.org); or call Media Relations Coordinator First Officer Todd Wissing at 919-555-5555.
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Updated: 11 October 2002
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