A nation stands united
brought together by flight
in memory of September 11th
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A nation stands united |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Flight Across America To Honor 9/11 REDMOND, Washington – May 10, 2002 – Pilots from across the country will launch a month-long Flight Across America to honor victims of September 11, 2001. Starting August 11, 2002, from the initial launch point at Paine Field Airport in Everett, Washington, the Flight Across America will link with flights from airports across the country to culminate in New York City on September 11, 2002. “It is an opportunity for pilots to respond to September 11th,” said Molly Peebles, Flight Across America Executive Director. “Last year, we witnessed aviation being used as a tool for incredible destruction. This year, we pilots have an opportunity to reclaim our skies by using aviation as a tool for great inspiration and bringing people together across the country to do something that has never before been done.” Peebles, a Washington State pilot, created the Flight Across America. The event was born of her newly discovered passion for flight and a desire to make a difference after 9/11. “Paine Field is excited about Molly's program,” commented Airport Director Dave Waggoner, “we’re very impressed with her leadership and drive to bring it to fruition.” Pilots will volunteer for Flight Across America and plan their own flights. They can choose to fly a short local flight, or longer flights across states or even coast to coast. The goal is for at least one aircraft to take off and land from every airport in the country, forming a web of flight paths that blanket the country over the event’s 32 days, ending in New York City on September 11, 2002. Each state flag will be flown by a Flight Across America participating pilot from the flag’s state of origin to New York. On September 11, 2002, fifty State flags will be delivered to New York to symbolize a nation that has come together to make the Flight Across America event happen and to express solidarity as we remember the events and honor the 9/11 anniversary. The Flight Across America is also about connecting the country through flight. The coordination and documentation of the flights will be assisted through the Flight Across America Web Site at http://www.flightacrossamerica.com. Pilots can register their flights at this web site, and anyone can visit it to learn more and to volunteer. During the course of this month-long celebration of flight, airports across the country will be hosting Flight Across America Fly-In Picnics. Pilots will be encouraged to make these events their destination. People from the community will be invited as well as local media. These picnics will be an opportunity for pilots to share their passion for aviation, how 9/11 and the restrictions imposed afterwards impacted them and their desire to preserve our freedom to fly. ######### FOR MORE INFORMATION: |
Last Updated: 07/25/02. Copyright © 2002 Flight Across America |
