wear blue: run to remember and Team Red, White & Blue Announce, ‘One Flag Forward’; A 250-Mile Relay from New York City to Washington, D.C.
Presenting Sponsor USAA and nonprofits unite to carry a single American flag to the nation’s capital, honoring 250 years of service and the 25th anniversary of 9/11
FLOYDS KNOBS, Ind. – [June 11, 2026] – wear blue: run to remember and Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB) today announced "One Flag Forward," a joint 250-mile tribute to honor the 1.3 million Americans who have fallen in service to the nation. From September 12-16, nonprofit leaders Lisa Hallett, Gold Star Spouse and CEO and Co-Founder of wear blue: run to remember, CSM (Ret.) Lee Yoneyama, Chief Operating Officer of wear blue: run to remember, and Col. (Ret.) Michael “Sully” Sullivan, Executive Director of Team RWB, will carry a single American flag from New York City to Washington, D.C.
Hallett, Yoneyama, and Sullivan, together with Service Members, Veterans, and Gold Star and Surviving Family Members, will carry that flag 50 miles per day until it reaches the heart of the nation’s capital on September 16.
“In carrying one American flag 250 miles from Ground Zero to our nations' capital, we carry forward the stories, sacrifice, and strength of the men and women who made America possible and the families who stood beside them,” said Hallett. “Through this partnership, One Flag Forward honors 250 years of service with endurance, resolve, and remembrance.”
"In the military, we set aside our colors to rally under one shared banner: the American flag,” said Sullivan. "That’s exactly what we’re doing here – uniting two organizations and the entire military-connected community under one symbol to honor the 1.3 million lost in the nation’s first 250 years.”
This journey recognizes two historic milestones: the 25th anniversary of the attack on September 11 and the 250 years of military service since the founding of the United States. During One Flag Forward, the two organizations will set aside their organizational colors and rally under one banner to represent the unity of the Military connected community while honoring 250 years of Americans who stepped forward before them and committing to carrying their legacy forward for the next 250 years.
The 250-mile route is divided into five daily pillars, each reflecting a core value of the military experience:
Sept. 12: Unity – The day America came together 25 years ago, under a common symbol: the American flag.
Sept. 13: Service – Honoring 250 years of those who served, powered by Wounded Warrior Project®.
Sept. 14: Honor – Recognizing Veterans and Service Members as examples to emulate, sponsored by Comcast.
Sept. 15: Sacrifice – Memorializing the 1.3 million fallen in our 250-year history.
Sept. 16: Legacy – Remembering the fallen by how they lived, not their sacrifices, and committing to carrying that forward for the next 250 years.
One Flag Forward is a movement for the nation. wear blue: run to remember and Team RWB invite the public and the media to join the route as it passes through their towns. Whether running one mile, 100 miles, or standing roadside in support, every American is encouraged to participate in this living memorial: One nation, one flag. Forward.
The One Flag Forward mission is made possible through the support of presenting sponsor USAA. Their commitment ensures the stories of the fallen are carried forward to the nation's capital.
“For more than a century, USAA has stood alongside the military community, honoring the courage, character, and sacrifice of those who serve and their families. One Flag Forward is a powerful reminder that behind every mile carried is a story of service and a legacy that unites us all. We’re proud to support wear blue: run to remember and Team Red, White & Blue as they bring our nation together under one flag—honoring 250 years of service, remembering the 1.3 million who gave their lives, and inspiring all of us to carry their legacy forward,” said USAA Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer Lindsey O’Neill.
For more information on the relay, route, and how to support, visit oneflagforward.org
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About wear blue: run to remember
wear blue: run to remember is a national nonprofit, founded in 2010, dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of the American military through active remembrance. We create spaces, through community-based runs and dedicated programs, where Gold Star and Surviving Families, Veterans, and Active Duty Service Members and their families speak names, share stories, and move together. This intentional remembrance builds connection, resilience, and belonging, helping individuals carry loss and celebrate legacy while ensuring the fallen are never forgotten. It is active remembrance for those who served and those who carry the sacrifice. Join us at wearblueruntoremember.org.
About Team Red, White & Blue
Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and America's leading health and wellness community for the military-connected community. Team RWB's events and programs empower Veterans and Service Members to build a healthy lifestyle focused on four pillars: physical health, mental health, genuine relationships, and a sense of purpose. With nearly 320,000 members and supporters across the nation, Team RWB is enriching lives and local communities through both in-person events and dynamic in-app programming. Visit teamrwb.org to get involved.
About USAA
Founded in 1922 by a group of military officers, USAA is among the leading providers of insurance, banking and retirement solutions and serves more than 14.5 million members of the U.S. military, veterans who have honorably served and their families. Headquartered in San Antonio, USAA has offices in seven U.S. cities and four overseas locations and employs more than 36,000 people worldwide. Each year, USAA supports national and local nonprofits serving military families and communities. With Honor Through Action, USAA advances policy, advocacy and philanthropy to support financial security, build meaningful careers and promote overall well-being across the military community. For more information about USAA, follow us on Facebook or X (@usaa), or visit usaa.com.
