Shreveport, LA (October 25, 2001) Flag relay determined to reach Los Angeles continues west on way to 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 headed through streets lined
with thousands of well-wishers, from veterans to schoolchildren, toward a warm
welcome in Shreveport, LA. Just after noon tomorrow, it will cross the state line into
Texas, the home state of American Airlines.
The organization, composed of a grassroots team of airline employees, military personnel
and now many other volunteers, recently announced that they intend to raise $1,000,000 for
funds benefiting the families of the victims of the tragedies on Sept. 11.
“We are stunned by the numbers of people that took part in this historic event of goodwill
and unity in the great states of Mississippi and Louisiana.”, said National Director
First Officer Mike Burr. “We encourage runners to gather pledges, visit our web site and
keep the grassroots spirit going by making a donation as well. If we all donate a little, it
turns into a lot very quickly. In this way we can help the children who will benefit from the
funds we have listed.”
The group 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.
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, the
Hilton Hotel-Boston Logan Airport , Minerva Network Systems, Marriott Hotels, AT&T
Wireless, Microsoft, Dell, the Allied Pilots Association and the Rack Restaurant in Boston,
MA, among many other fine sponsors.
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.
Click on the Links Below to Visit Our Sponsors
Registered Event Promoters
Updated: 11 October 2002
webmaster@flagrun2001.org
