Jackson, MS (October 24, 2001) Flag relay determined to reach Los Angeles continues west on way to visit Monroe, Shreveport, LA; Dallas on 10/27 and Oklahoma City on 10/29. Seeks to honor those lost in September attacks, support troops overseas and raise $1 million for families of persons killed.
The AAmericans United Flag Across America, which began with Governor Jane Swift of
Massachusetts presenting a US flag to a team in Boston, today marched up the steps of the
State Capitol building in Jackson and officially welcomed by Mississippi Governor Ronnie
Musgrove. Cheering crowds lined the roads of Jackson as the flag made its way through the
south. The Mississippi team held a prayer service and the Governor led the pledge of
allegiance, then sent the flag west toward Monroe, LA.
Today, the organization has announced that they intend to raise $1,000,000 for funds
benefitting the families of the victims of the tragedies on Sept. 11.
“In the spirit of this grassroots effort, we would like everyone to go to our web site and
donate something—any amount you choose—so that we may have a significant amount to
help these children and families when we stand on the Pacific Coast”, said National Director
First Officer Mike Burr. “We encourage runners to gather pledges as well.”
The participants in the event, at first a grass-roots combination of employees for American
and United Airlines, together with members of the US military, police, EMS and
firefighters, has now grown to include a cross-section of American runners and volunteers
from all walks of life.
"They will run from Boston—the departure city of AA Flt. 11 and UA Flt. 175, to Los
Angeles—the arrival city of three of four planes that were hijacked in the 9-11 attacks.
The flag, which has visited Ground Zero in Manhattan and touched all states hit by the Sept.
11 attacks, plans to continue on and reach Shreveport, LA at 7 a.m. on Oct. 26; Dallas, TX
at 5:44 p.m. on Oct. 27; and reach Oklahoma City for a memorial ceremony at 4:17 p.m. on
October 29. For complete route data and other real-time details, visit the web site at
www.flagrun2001.org.
"We are all up to the challenge."
Interested donors are encouraged to visit the donations page of our website and make a
contribution to a fund benefiting the children of those killed on Sept. 11, 2001.
Corporate sponsors are still needed for fuel and other run-related expenses. The run
is supported by donations and equipment from CruiseAmerica® Recreational Vehicles,
Minerva Network Systems, Marriott Hotels, AT&T Wireless, Microsoft, Dell, the
Allied Pilots Association and the Rack Restaurant in Boston, MA.
Media contacts are preferred through the web site e-mail (media@flagrun2001.org), or call Media Relations Coordinator First Officer Todd Wissing at 646-555-5555.
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Updated: 11 October 2002
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